PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA Mr Murungi congratulates Mr Dawood on winning North Imenti seat at Kaaga Methodist Church. NATION MEDIA GROUP
By BILLY MUIRURI bmuiruri@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, March 13 2013 at 00:30
Posted Wednesday, March 13 2013 at 00:30
IN SUMMARY
- From backing unpopular parties to lack of finance and racial biases, these MPs have the voters to thank for their victories
Before last week’s elections, Meru region was regarded a stronghold of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.
And even as Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi sought a piece of the Meru political pie through the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), commonly known as “Mbas” (Bus), the local voters remained pro-Uhuru.
This realisation forced Mr Murungi’s latter-day support for Mr Kenyatta even after the two politically disagreed prior to the polls.
Mr Murungi had accused The National Alliance of treating them like lesser partners.
In what had rightly been anticipated as a Bus versus TNA duel, some parliamentary candidates still managed to squeeze through against many odds.
Out of the nine constituencies, TNA clinched four while APK and ODM won two each. But across the board, it was a tale of unique Meru MPs.
Tigania East, (ODM)
Mpuru Aburi
The self-proclaimed “half brother” of Prime Minister Raila Odinga broke a 20-year-old jinx to sail to Parliament.
The vocal and heavily bearded politician was synonymous with ODM in an area that for many years voted for President Kibaki, and now Mr Kenyatta.
In fact, even as he won the seat garnering 26,200 votes against his closest challenger Mugambi Mwiti’s 5,700 votes, it was a long journey to Parliament.
It began in 1992 when he was elected Mikinduri ward councillor on a Ford Kenya ticket before being nominated by Mr Odinga’s NDP in 1997.
In 2002, he lost to Peter Munya by a mere 130 votes — a jinx that would haunt him in 2007 when he lost again to Mr Munya by 300 votes.
Mr Aburi, a veritable actor on the political podium, often graces Mr Odinga’s functions. Over the years, Mr Aburi’s belief in the PM never waned.
“I vowed it was better to remain unelected and on Mr Odinga’s side than be in Parliament and disown my brother,” said Mr Aburi.
Ironically, he might be in Parliament when Mr Odinga is out, having lost in the presidential race.
Buuri Constituency - Independent
Kinoti Gatobu
Commonly known as Kajana (young man), the 26-year-old MP caught moneyed candidates offguard with his gift of the gab.
By the time opponents realised Gatobu had captured the imagination of the electorate, it was too late.
Uniquely, while many Buuri (wilderness in Meru) voters enjoyed goodies from wealthy candidates, others were fund-raising for Gatobu. Buuri was carved out of the populous North Imenti and Imenti Central constituencies.
The son of Moses and Agnes, both teachers in Meru, listed inspiration as his Number One campaign pledge. Actually, his motivation to local youths and students after he scored an A at Nkubu High School in 2004, went a long way to portray him as the future leader the constituency needed.
Instructively, Gatobu, a self-proclaimed freelance writer, turned down many jobs after he graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Commerce degree to pursue “community service”. This irked his parents.
Apart from offering free tuition, Gatobu started revision books and computer programme for local schools. When he talks, this young man leaves elders nodding in agreement. He polled 15,793 votes against Mr Mugambi Angaine, a son of King of the Ameru Jackson Angaine (1900-1999), who got 8,900 votes. Although Mr Gatobu is married, the couple is yet to be blessed with a child.
South Imenti, (TNA)
Kathuri Murungi
He is “Kathuri ka Kamashinani” (grassroots leader) to voters who defied their MP of 20 years, Mr Kiraitu Murungi, to elect him.
An environmental expert, the short-statured and crafty upcoming politician rode the storm of some of the wealthiest politicians in the contest to clinch the seat. Mr Murungi’s party spent an arm and a leg to ensure his choice for MP, APK’s Genaro Gatangugi, succeeded him.
Two aspirants — one Mr Murungi’s business partner — pumped huge resources into the ‘Mbas’ campaign machinery, but Mr Kathuri had the people.
In fact, last year he changed his name from Muthuri to Kathuri, to avoid a name clash with another rival, Muthuri Mwega, who came third in the race.
Mr Murungi’s party got the other two Imenti seats, North and Central, but Kathuri stubbornly spoiled the party’s clean sweep.
“The people wanted a break from the past. They wanted change. All my opponents had a long history with the minister. I was on my own,” said Mr Kathuri.
Imenti North, (APK)
Rahim Dawood
The businessman fondly known as Muhindi (Indian) in Meru Town fought hard to ward off racist remarks against his candidature, to become the first Kenyan of Asian origin to win an elective seat in the Mt Kenya region.
His development record in the constituency overcame the negative campaign antics perfected by supporters of former area MP Silas Muriuki.
When he was a local councillor, he donated his entire salary to charitable causes, endearing him to area residents. He has built a renal ward at the local Level Five hospital and regularly bails out patients unable to clear their hospital bills.
In the elections, he teamed up with APK leader, Mr Murungi, after it became clear TNA would not hand him a ticket. The party preferred Mr Muriuki who had abandoned the ‘Mbas’.
It was an emotional victory at Kaaga Girls High when Mr Dawood won 26, 871 votes against Mr Muriuki’s 24,185. “I dedicate my life to the people of Meru. I can’t believe this,” said Mr Dawood.
Igembe Central, (ODM)
Kubai Kiringo
The former banker defied party affiliations to become victorious with the most unpopular party in the region.
The limping, miraa-chewing former chairman of Meru North Farmers Sacco is endowed with a sharp mind and it is only after you hear him speak in public that you realise Igembe Central voters picked the best brain for the job.
He limps due to the injury he sustained after he and his daughter were shot at in the last elections when he vied for the former Igembe South seat.
The bullets never dampened his resolve to lead his people; they emboldened him.
He articulated his ambitious master-plan to the constituents that became too dear to be discarded for party considerations.
He warded off a tough challenge from both James Mithika (TNA) and Jacob Mati (APK) to poll 16,963. Mr Mithika and Mr Mati garnered 10,312 and 11,944 votes, respectively. However, his voters chose Mr Kenyatta for President.
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