ARE QUITERS WINNERS? Joe Nyagah and Joshua Kanake Yet To Prove

Former Political Advisor to Governor Wambora, Mr. Joshua Kanake (left) with Embu Senator and gubernatorial candidate, Lenny Kivuti

Whoever said that quiters are not winners had a point yes, but modern day philosophers will prove to you, that the opposite is true. If you consider this argument fallacious or controversial, you need not look further than the volatile political dynamics in the country and the counties as well. Well, it's no longer 'teething' problems of devolution, no, now the baby has got teeth - teeth that can bite - courtesy of the president and the governors, with the help of their Political Advisors, of course.

In the recent past, we have had two Political Advisors: Joe Nyagah and Joshua Kanake; advisors to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Governor Martin Wambora of Embu respectively, quit their jobs in pursuit of elective positions. An optimist would call it sacrifice or calculated risk while a pessimist may argue that the two didn't really quit their jobs. They were fired, and so sought power as a solace.

Mr Kanake's campaign poster

According to the 'Star' dated May 05, 2017, former Gachoka MP (now Mbeere South constituency) Joseph Nyagah, popularly known as Joe, '...has resigned as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s adviser in light of his plan to seek election as an independent candidate in August'

Joe Nyagah, son to veteran politician, Jeremiah Nyagah​ and former advisor to President Kenyatta

In like manner, Joshua Kanake, who is accredited for transformation of the tea industry in the County after serving as a Director for close to 10 years, 'quit' his enviable position to contend for the Embu senatorial seat on a Maendeleo ChapChap (MCC) ticket, against  former Cooperatives Minister, Njeru  Ndwiga of Jubilee Party, also a member to the Embu County Public Board. 

Former Manyatta MP, and Senatorial aspirant, Njeru Ndwiga (Jubilee Party)

It is not clear whether Joe Nyagah will join them as an independent candidate.

If, however, these two gentlemen, Joe and Joshua win the positions they seek in the August 2017 general election, then it will be proven that quiters can be winners, after all.

Winners in the recent Jubilee Party Primaries;
Incumbent governor Martin Wambora (left) and aspiring Senator, Njeru Ndwiga.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE; Miscommunication Within Jubilee Party Brings Embu Leaders Together.

From left, seated; Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, former minister Njeru Ndwiga and incumbent Governor Martin Wambora, among other leaders in a press conference at Izaak Walton hotel in Embu. 

In what may be referred to as a twist in the tale of Embu politics (Siasa za Embu), miscommunication within Jubilee Party is evidently working for the good of the County, as it seems to bring leaders together. According to the Nation, the incumbent Governor of Embu County, Martin Wambora joined hands with Senator Lenny Kivuti who is eyeing the Governor's seat and former minister for co-operative development Njeru Ndwiga, who is in turn targeting the Senatorial position, to condemn the County Assembly Speaker Kariuki Mate, whose theatrics threaten to jeopardize the ruling Party's popularity in the County. Mr. Mate is a self proclaimed supporter of Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire for the gubernatorial seat.

In a rare show of unity, nevertheless, the politicians addressed a joint press briefing at Izaak Walton Inn on Wednesday, 1st February 2017, where they tore into Speaker Kariuki Mate after reports emerged that he had been appointed to a top party position. Mr Kivuti claimed that a meeting held on January 14, and attended by Mr Mate had agreed on how Jubilee tickets would be shared. However, the information has been found out to be mere propaganda aimed at destabilizing Jubilee members ahead of the forthcoming Party nominations in April. The misinformation, alleged to have originated from Mr Kivuti was meant to cause a split in Embu Jubilee Party leadership. The three senior politicians ganged against the County Assembly Speaker, poking holes into his integrity to lead the party’s activities.

The Speaker, however, has denied being appointed as the Director of Operations explaining that he had only volunteered to mobilize residents to register as voters in the ongoing mass listing exercise.

They said there is a likelihood of favoritism since Mr Mate had publicly announced his support for Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire who is seeking to unseat Mr Wambora.

Political analysts have it that the whole saga was instigated by Mr. Kivuti, who having realized that he has been marked as the common enemy, wished to turn tables and portray Ms. Cecily Mbarire as the antagonist, a move that has instead brought the leaders together for the betterment of Embu County politics. 

Continuation... SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NJERU NDWIGA

Embu Senatorial aspirant Njeru Ndwiga

In this squeal to last week’s prologue to his manifesto for Embu County, former Manyatta MP and Embu Senatorial hopeful Hon. Njeru Ndwiga continues to share the summary of his vision for this beloved county, development-wise.

Below is the overview of the programs he plans to roll out from September 2017:

Summary of key areas of interest;

1.     Education

§  Funding

§  Attendance

§  Transition

§  Incentives

2.     Health Services

§  Accessibility

§  Quality

§  Insurance

3.     Youth Empowerment

§  Business Environment

§  Youth Fund

§  Employment

§  Sports

4.     Women Empowerment

§  Business Environment

§  Women Development Fund

§  Gender Affirmative Action

5.     Infrastructure Development

§  ICT

§  Transport

§  Electricity

6.     Food Security

§  Agriculture

§  Extension Services

§  Co-operatives

7.     Water Services

§  Domestic

§  Irrigation

8.     Unity

The above summary of key areas of focus will be elaborated in future publications on this blogspot. Watch this space!