•The constituency had 175, 098 people, according to the 2019 national census, 86,698 of them males and 88,393 females.
•The seat will fall vacant once MP Alice Wahome resigns to take up a cabinet secretary role.
Image: Alice Waithera
Former Murang’a Women rep aspirant Waithira Muithirania has announced interest to vie for Kandara parliamentary seat on the UDA party.
Kandara constituency has 105,148 registered voters in six wards – Ng’araria (13,776), Muruka (16, 240), Kagundu-ini (19,129), Gaichanjiru (16,280), Ithiru (18,335), and Ruchu (21,388).
The constituency had 175, 098 people, according to the 2019 national census, 86,698 of them males and 88,393 females.
The seat will fall vacant once MP Alice Wahome resigns to take up a cabinet secretary role.
President William Ruto appointed her CS for Water and Sanitation.
Speaking to Star, Waithira Muithirania said that she will defend the seat on president Ruto’s UDA party.
Waithira Muithirania unsuccessfully vied for the woman rep position on the Jubilee ticket in the August election but lost to a UDA candidate.
In 2017, Muithirania contested against Sabina Chege but lost.
“I will be contesting for Kandara MP Seat on UDA party and I’m optimistic that I will be elected," she said.
She will be expected to face off with Chege Njuguna, Former Murang’a deputy governor Maina Kamau, Julius Kaberere, and Peter Kinyanjui.
Also said to be in the race include Lucy Ngugi, the former Murang’a Deputy Speaker and the county’s Maendeleo ya Wanawake chair.
President Ruto nominated three sitting legislators to serve in his Cabinet triggering by-elections.
Others nominated to the cabinet include Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, and Garissa Town Member of Parliament (MP) Aden Duale.
The three now join Senator Moses Wetangula who was elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly, therefore, necessitating a by-election to pick a new senator to represent the people of Bungoma in the Senate.
Notably, president Ruto nominated 10 women to his cabinet among them including Aisha Jumwa (Public Service), Rebecca Miano (EAC, Arid and Semi-arid lands), Soipan Tuya (Environment), Susan Wafula (Health), Peninah Malonza (Tourism) and Florence Bore (Labour and Social protection).
The three women assigned Cabinet-level portfolios are Monica Juma (National Security Advisor), Harriet Chiggai (Women rights agency advisor), and Mercy Wanjau (Secretary to the Cabinet).