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| Embu gubernatorial aspirant Kithinji Kiragu (left) with incumbent Governor Martin Wambora at the latter's office in the past |
Political perambulations by Embu Senator and gubernatorial aspirant Lenny Kivuti, characterised by massive voter bribery have turned many a youth in upper Embu County into idlers; an unproductive lot. You will find that wherever the rich businessman but poor orator perches to give out cash hand outs, hundreds of young men and women will be seen loitering around with nothing to do but wait as patiently as vultures til they get that two or one hundred shillings then accompany him to the next centre for more.
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| Villagers wait expectantly for Lenny's hand outs |
It's actually not much different from the shenanigans of the proverbial stork (ngune mbooro) that after 'fishing' one frog from the water, will place it aside and go ahead to fetch another, only for the first prey to jump back into the river to be caught again. In the end the poor preditor flies away with a single frog. It would therefore not be a surprise to find that the politician, who was once overheard saying that he will buy Embu voters like green vegetables (sukuma wiki) ends up giving so much money to very few individuals and errorniously hope to have made an impact. Talk of fetching water using a gunney bag! How sad and sorry.
The other aspirant, Kithinji Kiragu, popularly known as KK seems to have his goose cooked early. After being very active (sic, passive) on social media following what people say but saying nothing himself, he at last posted something, and what came out of the aged brain was pure venom. His quick temper became his destruction when he prided himself as one who doesn't argue with fools as people won't know the difference. He forgot diplomacy, but then, that's how the cookie crumbled.
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| KK is rich enough to brand himself properly, but poor in people skills; he is said to rarely talk to commoners |
Leonard Muriuki, the other gubernatorial aspirant with a future has gained favour with the young and the inexperienced as far as politics is concerned. Well, the guy is a gifted public speaker, yes, but one small mistake on his part may cost him. In politics, just as in courtship, it is always wise to keep people guessing. Leo has however made a fatal error by following Lenny's lead and naming his running mate so early. The two don't seem to know that naming a running mate before the right time only gives opponents grounds for attack. Those who are against any politician who does that will not only mudsling the candidate but his deputy as well. To make matters worse, whom did the political infant, as he has come to be referred to as, named? Former Ambassador S.M.K Gakumu.
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| Gubernatorial aspirant Leonard Muriuki (left) with running mate SMK Gakumu |
Now, I don't have anything personal against the former Principal, Nguviu Boys High School. In fact, so many successful middle aged men today will testify to have tasted Mr. Gakumu's whip, which he seemed to use needlessly sometimes, and with obvious pleasure. That's not the point though, but old boys of that record-setting school will tell you that the man was an academic sadist. The point is, S.M.K is more of an ideologist than a politician. When he resigned from his Ambassadorial job to vie as Embu Governor in 2013, he was thrashed at Primaries. Now what political analysts wonder is, how do you pick a political failure as a running mate and expect to win? Leo has been advised to keep his ante up as he prepares for 2022 - people might consider him then.
That leaves us with the incumbent, Governor Martin Wambora. The much tried and tested leader has come to be known as one with the nine proverbial lives of the cat, after beating Runyenjes MP Hon Cecily Mbarire in the recent JP Primaries, inspite of so many attempts to derail him during the course of his tenure. Mr. Wambora, fondly referred to as 'Ciiko' owing to his development record, has shown himself to be a wise man, an able leader who has made Embu shine.
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| Some of Governor Wambora's complete projects in Embu County |
This humble politician plays his cards in such a cool manner that some people have judged him to be more of a manager than a politician. Albeit so much negativity directed towards him, he has held the county together and those with the interests of Embu at heart will concur that he deserves a second term. He has not yet named his running mate but the moment he does, the deal is sealed. Watch this space!
