By DAVID MUGUNYU
The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has declared his interest for the Laikipia county government vowing to fast-track development by partnering with local and international development partners.
He noted that counties which have collaborated with the national government have experienced accelerated development, citing Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as examples.
“That is how governors Ann Waiguru, Cecily Mbarire and Gladys Wanga have been able to bring major developments to their counties,” said Kiunjuri, who is also the Laikipia East MP.
He argued that Laikipia would remain underdeveloped if it relies solely on the annual Sh6 billion allocation from the national exchequer.
“Laikipia needs someone with a strong network like mine who can attract development partners if the county is to experience rapid growth,” he said.
Speaking during a series of empowerment meetings in Nyahururu town and Gatero location on Saturday, Kiunjuri was accompanied by Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri and Laikipia West MP Wachira Karani.
He said the county is set to benefit from international-standard stadiums after the national government agreed to fund the upgrading of Nyahururu and Nanyuki stadiums.
Kiunjuri further noted that, together with Karani, Kagiri, and Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, they had lobbied the national government to transfer some roads from county management to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority to speed up their upgrading.
He urged residents to avoid voting along party lines and instead assess the track record of candidates vying for the gubernatorial seat.
Kiunjuri also cautioned voters against leaders who turn funeral gatherings into campaign platforms.
“Some only want to appear sympathetic by donating Sh2,000 at funerals and then leave before the burial is done. Others fund grading of roads leading to burial sites but ignore them at other times. Roads should be graded for the living, not the dead,” he said.
Kiunjuri will be seeking the governorship for the second time after an unsuccessful bid in 2013. He will face former governor Ndiritu Muriithi, County Secretary Koinange Wahome, Health CECM Albert Taiti, former Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru, and businessman Kihunyu Gitogo.
He said his long association with residents of Laikipia West over the past 16 years, including during his time as minister and assistant minister, gives him strong grassroots experience. He added that he has been donating blankets annually to 700 elderly residents in Maina village, Nyahururu.
Kiunjuri also criticized Governor Joshua Irungu’s administration, accusing it of overburdening business people with rising levies without improving their working environment.
Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri said the Sh27 million National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) allocated annually to each woman representative is insufficient to meet the needs of all targeted groups.
She noted that the amount translates to about Sh1.8 million per ward in Laikipia County.
“That money is meant for water tanks, bursaries, sanitary towels for schoolgirls, supporting groups, and sponsoring youth for short courses across the county,” she said.
Kagiri added that the Woman Representative seat requires a leader capable of mobilizing additional funding sources to supplement NGAAF allocations.
She further said she will defend her seat in the next election despite pressure from some supporters who wanted her to contest the Laikipia East parliamentary seat expected to be vacated by Kiunjuri.
