Sunday, September 5, 2010

The battle for counties kicks off



Ruhia traditional dancers entertain guests on September 4, 2010 during a meeting to launch Murang'a County at Ihura Stadium. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI
By SUNDAY NATION Team
Posted Saturday, September 4 2010 at 22:30

Veteran politicians and new entrants are laying the groundwork for what promises to be big political contests across the country as candidates line up for the new positions at the county level.

Excitement is sweeping across the country, but lawyers have urged caution and asked voters to be vigilant and ensure that they elect leaders of quality.

Murang’a, Nakuru and Nyeri counties have initiated activities related to the new political units as discussions about future possibilities open across the country.

About 300 community leaders and opinion shapers meeting under the banner of the Nakuru County Elders’ Forum in Nakuru said on Saturday they would push for young professionals to assume county leadership positions.

“We need the right people with the right skills to steer Nakuru County to greater heights,” said Nation Media Group chairman Wilfred Kiboro who attended the meeting.

Paradigm shift

Karanja Kabage, a Nairobi lawyer, said the new Constitution offered the opportunity for a political paradigm shift. “The main test for the electorate is the kind of leadership they will choose for the county,” said Mr Kabage, who addressed the Nakuru meeting as a resource person.

In Murang’a, a riot of colours and sounds marked the celebration for a new county. But leaders differed publicly about the future location of the headquarters. Planning assistant minister Peter Kenneth urged leaders not to argue over the location of the headquarters, saying it would ultimately be decided by the people.

Murang’a County had seven constituencies, and there appears to be a tough tussle shaping up among local leaders to have new headquarters in their areas. Some of the leaders reportedly prefer Maragua constituency which is seen as a more central location.

Mathioya MP Clement Wambugu also warned leaders against engaging in wrangles over the location of the headquarters. Various professionals, among them Equity Bank chairman Peter Munga, attended the meeting. In Nyeri, campaigns to garner influential seats in Nyeri County began to take shape.

Former Mathira MP Nderitu Gachagua, who wants to run for governor, urged former Information minister Mutahi Kagwe to run alongside him for the Senate. “I know his track record as chairman of the Finance committee during our time in Parliament, and I can assure you he is one man who will assist me to run affairs of the county smoothly as your governor,” he said.

As politicians angled for county slots, lawyers urged caution. Law Society of Kenya secretary Apollo Mboya said there must be tight system in place to ensure that new county governments that will be formed in 2013 work for the benefit of the people.

“The legislation that is going to look at the electoral systems bill, the political parties and how the elections are done will have to be tightened in such a way that will show that there are proper elections at that level. The counties can be very chaotic,” he said.

Former reform commission chairman Yash Pal Ghai said the new Constitution holds great promise for Kenyans but added a caveat. “It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we are going to get for a long time,” he said.

And Nairobi lawyer Muthomi Phiankolu said Kenyans should think carefully when electing leaders who will run their counties.

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