Photo: Peterson Njomo
The Mountain Journal
As the 2017 general election draws nearer, In Gichugu Constituency In Kirinyaga County, the battle lines have already been drawn, City Businessman Peterson Njomo has put and sustained a sprited political fight , emerging as the most visible front runner in the race to Succeed the incumbent MP Gichimu Githinji Home.
Gichimu, who has been defending his seat on a UDA ticket, is facing a serious ground onslaught from a reknown Established City Business man and Civil Contractor.
Njomo hails from Njukiini Ward, where he enjoys his home turf support, with his Political Wings Spread larger across the Constituency.
Gichugu Constituency has Four Wards, namely Ngariama, Kabare, Njukiini and Baragwi.
This Media Publication has established that Since Multi Party era, two wards, Njukiini and Ngariama, have never gotten a chance to produce an MP from the area, but the residents have always supported candidates from other wards, Kabare and Baragwi.
Between 1992 and 2013, Martha Karua, who hails from Kabare Ward, led the Constituency for Un interupted 24yrs, with full support of Njukiini and Ngariama Wards.
In 2013, Martha Karua abandoned constituency politics and upgraded to National and threw her hat in the Presidential ring against President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The little-known educationist Njogu Barua from Baragwi Ward grabbed the chance and ran with it, emerging the Winner in a landslide win against the Current MP, Gichimu Githinji, among others.
Barua Served One term.
In the 2022 general election, the seat went back to Kabare, where the current MP, Gichimu Githinji, has roots. The MP is serving his second term and has less than eight Months to fight for his life in Parliament. his supporters are ‘trusting God’ for a third term, while his opponents believe it’s over for him.
Photo:Peterson Njomo addressing residents at a fundraiser in the Constituency.
In Politics local pundit who spoke to this publication anonymously observed that regional balance was key In determination of leadership.
From past election trends, it’s clearly evident that Ngariama ward and Njukiini had never had a chance to produce an MP for the record clean 40 years; of these, Kabare ward alone has dominated for 34 years. Baragwi ward was lucky to get a slice of 5 years.
We will take you back slightly before multipartyism; the seat was still locked at Kabare under Geoffrey Kariithi (GK), who had also served as a powerful Head of the Public Service. He passed the baton to a relative by distance, Martha Karua, though in a highly lethal duel.
Local Political analysts hold that, for a fair chance in the game, the voters should this time round consider Njukiini Ward and Ngariama for an MP slot.
Ngariama Ward Is the most hardly hit because since indipendence, the ward which is home to speciality coffee and Purple tea had never had a this golden chance, and since every decision has results, the region has the fewest kilometres in tarmac compared to the other areas in the county, History Shows before multiparty, GK had taken over from Veteran Politician during Kenyatta 1 era Njunu who hailed from Njukiini Ward.
So if regional balance was the only factor in the election, the 2027 election could be a chance beginning with Upper Ngariama, or the neighbour Njukiini Ward. In the past, Ngariama and Njukiini were one region, popularly known as Larger Ngariama.
By the time of going to the Press, this publication had not noticed a serious MP declaration from the Upper Ngariama region, handing an advantage to any contender from the larger Ngariama.
A Serious Contender from Upper Ngariama would complicate the arithmetic of larger Ngariama votes, as that would seriously split the vote. Njukiini ward has historically voted with Ngariama.
Njomo’s Philanthropic Operations, and why emerging as a political darling to the Constituents.
Njomo, who is well visible on the ground, has sustained his philanthropic works before the last general elections.
In Various Scenarios on the media record, Njomo has offered various needy students free full scholarships.
In Medical Fundraises, Njomo has continued to offer the residents a shoulder to cry on in difficult times by footing serious medical claims.
In road upgrades, Njomo has occasionally deployed his set of road equipment to make serious interventions on road upgrades.
Speaking in different forums, Njomo says his vision and focus are to liberate the people of Gichugu from stagnant years of bad leadership.
At one Point, he lamented how the poor leadership has lagged the Gichugu constituency behind other constituencies in the county.
” You have the power in your votes to transform Gichugu by electing a visionary leader who has the burden and commitment to transform this constituency. Gichugu must catch up with other constituencies, especially on road tarmacking. ” Njomo told residents of Kabare ward during a medical fundraiser
