Kiambu senator Kimani Wamatangi in a past event. Political analyst Peter Ngure says that Wamatangi will sweat to retain the senate seat in the August 8 polls. [Photo: nation.co.ke]
Kiambu senator Kimani Wamatang’s re-election bid will not be a walk in the park, a political analyst has said.
According to Peter Ngure, a Kiambu based analyst and constitutional lawyer, Wamatangi has a lot of homework to do if he is to retain the senate seat.
Speaking during an interview on Friday, Ngure said that Wamatangi, a soft spoke politician faces an uphill task in his bid to retain seat.
“Senator Wamatangi has a lot of work to do because his rivals pose a threat to his re-election in the August polls,” he said.
Ngure said that the entry of Ngewa MCA Karungo Thang’wa entry into the Kiambu senatorial race complicates Wamatangi’s re-election bid equation.
Several aspirants have lined up to unseat senator Wamatangi in the August 8 polls.
Ngewa MCA Karungo Thang’wa, former Limuru MP George Nyanja, Stephen Ndichu, Dr Juliet Kimani and Stanley Githunguri are eyeing to send Wamatangi packing.
Political analysts say that Thang’wa, a first time politician poses a real threat to Wamatangi’s bid.
Thang’wa is said to be boasting of a huge support base comprising of youth and women.
It is also said that Thang’wa appeals to all Kiambu locals and this could help him trounce Wamatangi in the August 8 polls.
George Nyanja, a former Limuru MP is making a second stab for the seat after losing to Wamatangi in 2013.
Mr Nyanja has been hitting out at Wamatangi claiming that he (Wamatangi) is an absentee senator.
Stanley Githunguri, a seasoned politician is also eyeing Wamatangi’s seat.
Githunguri dropped out of the Kiambu senate seat race in 2013 and contested for the Githunguri Parliamentary seat losing out to the incumbent Njoroge Baiya.
Dr Juliet Kimemia, a lecture and an educationist is also seeking to become the next Kiambu senator. Dr Kimemia says that she has what it takes to be Kiambu’s next senator.
Senator Wamatangi has however dismissed his rivals saying that Kiambu people have faith in him.
While launching his campaign team in Kikuyu last week, Wamatangi exuded confidence of being reelected.
The senator said that his lobbying in the senate saw Kiambu’s annual budget allocations increased from Sh6 Billion in the 2013/2014 Financial year to the current Sh8 Billion.
Wamatangi also says that he has kept the Governor William Kabogo led government in checks.
“I have played by oversight role well and pushed for more funds not only for Kiambu but other counties too,” said Wamatangi, a critic of Kabogo’s leadership.
Wamatangi and his rivals are eyeing the Jubilee Party ticket.
The Kiambu senator says that he is confident of being endorsed to contest for a second term in the JP nominations slated for next month.