2022 politics is heating up, and if you have intentions of running then hit the ground.
I mean, anybody who wants to be on the ballot in 2022 and have chances of winning must be running a discreet campaign now.
Meeting opinion leaders, financiers, laying the ground work, establishing networks, undermining those already in office, all that will put you at a better place.
In Nakuru, many are salivating for the top seat.
Here are politicians likely to run for Nakuru governor in 2022.
1. Lee Kinyanjui
The current county boss will obviously be defending his seat when 2022 knocks.
The soft spoken governor will be banking on his first tenure in office to woo voters.
If there will be a legacy to boot on, well and good. If he won't have won the hearts of residents he will be shown the door like his predecessor Kinuthia Mbugua.
2. Kinuthia Mbugua
The 2022 Nakuru governor politics might also end up again shaping to a Lee—Kinuthia race, just like in 2013 and 2017.
In 2013, Kinuthia beat Kinyanjui during the TNA nominations. He ended up becoming the governor. Kinyanjui was on the other hand picked by President Uhuru Kenyatta to man the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTSA). He came back in 2017 and beat Kinuthia in the Jubilee nominations.
Uhuru, just like in 2013, picked Kinuthia from the political cold to be the State House controller.
In 2022, there are chances he will be back at the county to settle scores with Kinyanjui — and it will be interesting to watch how it will unveil.
3. Susan Wakarura Kihika
Kihika might be one of the best students of Kenyan politics. In 2013, she returned to Kenya to run for the Bahati parliamentary seat. And because all politics is local, she was seen as #TeamMajuu. She received a humiliating defeat from veteran politician Kimani Ngunjiri during the TNA nominations.
Kihika had two misgivings which led to her defeat.
One was that she lacked the local flavour that is common with Kenyan politics, and two she thought Kenya was like America where voters fund politicians through donations.
But she quickly learnt the ropes. After she lost the TNA ticket in nominations, the likes of Ngunjiri helped her clinch the Nakuru Speaker seat. Since then, Kihika's political star has been on the rise.
She is received the largest number of votes in Nakuru in the 2017 poll.
Today, she has a loaded lover by her side. They can pull one of the most oiled campaign in Nakuru. She also enjoys good connections within Deputy President William Ruto's circles.
And her beauty, looks are an asset in politics, and sharp tongue comes in handy.
If she runs for governor, of which it's sure like the sun will rise in the morning, she has high chances of becoming the county boss.
4. Kimani Ngunjiri
Ngunjiri is a senior politician in Nakuru. His high voltage encounters with former Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere are well documented.
He is among those who were recruited into politics during the Kanu era.
A man who was at one time a Kanu chairman Nakuru branch is a man one cannot underestimate.
He is skilled in grassroots politics and a great mobilizer.
He also enjoys a place among the Rift Valley Kikuyus.
His political clout is not badly off as many people in the county are already aware of Ngunjiri.
It is, however, not clear if he has deep pocket to run a campaign machine befitting a governor aspirant.
5. John Njenga Mututho
Mututho is a man who made his name long time ago after he declared war against liqour.
Since he took his first bottle of beer at Kagema bar in Turi centre, a few metres from his father's home in Molo, Mututho hated the bottle.
He grew up to wage war against it.
From Mututho laws to Nacada, the son of Kimotho won many hearts.
But he has been unable to turn that love into votes. First because he is not a gifted speaker, and second because he rarely sugarcoats things.
Nakuru residents, however, feel that if he puts his shit together, Mututho can take over Nakuru county.
6. David Gikaria
Exits John Mututho enters David Gikaria alias TM aka Baba Yao.
Gikaria, the son of a single mother, is the father of Nakuru Town politics.
He is abrasive, ruthless but with a bewitching smile that leaves women smarting from his wooing antics.
Gikaria has several political bases in Nakuru. One is families living in county houses, then female traders in Nakuru and young men operating several businesses; from gambling to car wash.
His supporters believe he can run for the county's top seat and win.
He is however not known outside Nakuru.
Details of his wallet are also scanty.
But for a man who rose from councillor to mayor and then MP, anything is possible.
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