Ndathis former running mate drops out of race, backs Anne Waiguru

Jubilee candidate for the Kirinyaga Governorship race Anne Waiguru on Saturday received a boost after Governor Joseph Ndathi’s former running mate Reuben Ndegwa endorsed her bid.

After losing to Waiguru in the Jubilee nominations, Ndegwa ditched Ndathi and resolved to run for the seat on a Democratic Party (DP) ticket, before dropping out and announcing his support for Waiguru.

The move signifies the genesis of political realignments not just in Kirinyaga but the country-over with Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze and Senator David Musila also changing tune and announcing their support for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reelection bid.

In addition to Ndegwa, Waiguru has also received the backing of former Gichugu MP Benard Kathanga in what could increase her support-base, in Martha Karua’s backyard.

Speaking after hosting Ms Waiguru at his home in Gichugu, Mr Kathanga exuded confidence in Waiguru’s ability to ensure the transformation of Kirinyaga into a development hub.

Prior to her meeting with Mr Kathanga, Ms Waiguru joined hundreds of worshippers for a Sunday service at the ACK Church in Gatunguru in Gichugu Constituency.

She later addressed residents of Kimunye area, reiterating her commitment to form a development-focused government that will address the challenges facing the locals.

Meanwhile, Waiguru has promised to issue 6,000 title deeds to squatters living in South Ngariama if she is elected governor.

The Kirinyaga governorship candidate promised to address the emotive issue of land that has seen the squatters live in uncertainty since 2007 when their land was subdivided.

She said that even though a fresh forensic audit would be conducted, those allocated a minimum of three acres would not be affected by the planned repossession and redistribution of the scheme.

“We will not be targeting those who were legally allocated land. Our focus will be on individuals who did not merit the allocation and those who got more than three acres,” she said.

Past allocation of the land, previously held under Trust by the defunct County Council of Kirinyaga, sparked dissent from locals following claims of favouritism and corruption by local governments.

Some of leaders were allegedly allocated more than 50 acres each leaving hundreds of locals landless.

And to ensure an end to the decade-long standoff, Waiguru promised to intervene and ensure justice is served, further promising to put the land surveyor responsible to task over the misallocations.

The 28,000-acre piece of land has been under contention for almost a decade now, roping in former Gichugu MP Martha Karua and other local leaders.

While the locals claimed the process of land allocation was marred by corruption and favouritism, Karua, speaking before the House Committee on Lands and Natural Resources in 2010, insisted otherwise.

“The subdivision was done by clan elders and took in the landless from Gichugu, Ndia, Kirinyaga Central and Mwea Constituencies, The process was transparent and fair,” she said.

The committee also learnt that part of the land was grabbed and records hidden back in 1993 before the subdivision began.

Former Kirinyaga Central MP Daniel Karaba and Alfred Nderitu (Mwea) admitted to having acquired three acres each “for their brothers” with Martha Karua’s sister also acquiring a title deed.

In her recent interview with TV show host Jeff Koinange, Waiguru made clear her intention to crackdown on illegal land acquisitions and allocations that have left the locals landless.

“There are very many complaints in Kirinyaga emanating from the time when she (Karua) was minister. Together with former Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gachoki who was a surveyor then, they oversaw the irregular division of land in South Ngariama.”

“Martha allocated herself, her brother, sister and mother pieces of land leaving hundreds of locals who legally obligated to get portions of land to live as squatters.”

Like in past elections, the South Ngariama land issue may be one of the key focus points in the run-up to the August 8 polls, with Karua’s past stand on the matter coming into question.

This is not the only controversy surrounding Karua’s candidature, a report by a British Newspaper claimed that she received Ksh7.5 million from the British America Tobacco (BAT), in the run-up to the 2013 elections, to help protect the firm’s commercial interests is also causing jitters.

Karua however dismissed the claims saying she had only received Ksh2 million, from one Paul Hopkins, affiliated to BAT, as a personal donation to the campaign.