The battle to succeed the late Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange who died last week is taking shape with at least seven candidates showing interest in the vacant seat.
Chief among those who are aspiring to succeed Koinange are businessman-cum-politician Kariri Njama, Kiambu County Liaison Director Damaris Wambui Waiganjo, US-based Raymond Kuria and former Kiambu Women Rep aspirant Lydia Njeri Ndung’u.
Kariri Njama
Kariri, who appears to be among the frontrunners, contested for Jubilee Party ticked in 2017 and after losing to Koinange, he returned in the race as an unsuccessful independent candidate.
Kariri has a strong link to the Hustler Nation movement having hosted Deputy President William Ruto in 2021.
His previous experience in elections, having lost to Koinange in 2017 when he garnered a quarter of the votes (15,505) the late MP got (60,166), is likely to spur him to do better.
Raymond Kuria
On the other hand, Raymond will be taking a third stab at the seat having vied unsuccessfully in the 2013 and 2017 General Election.
A known philanthropist, the US-based man has run twice for the seat losing in the 2013 elections when he got only 2,582 votes and in 2017 when he lost in the party primaries stage.
Recently, he seemed to have warmed up to the Hustler Nation narrative.
In 2017, the third potential aspirant, Lydia Njeri, lost to former radio broadcaster Gathoni wa Muchomba.
Damaris Wambui
The Kiambu Liasion Director Damaris Wambui, a niece of the late MP Koinange, will be making her first debut in active politics.
Wambui previously worked with the Jubilee during the 2017 elections and will likely enjoy access to the dominant party backing as well financial resources to mount a formidable campaign.
The four, through their backers, have already been circulating their images online to test the waters ahead of the real showdown.
Other potential aspirants
Others interested in the seat are Richard Njoroge, Charles Munyui, Josephat Kamanya, Evans Gichia, Lucy Wanjiru, and Julie Waweru who unsuccessfully contested for the Kiambu County Speaker’s seat in 2014.
Political experts opine that party primaries are likely to be the determining factor on whether the ruling party, Jubilee, will successfully defend the seat.
