The contest for the Juja parliamentary seat is taking a new dimension with aspirants adopting new techniques to beat Covid-19 restrictions. This comes in the wake of the recent presidential ban on political gatherings in a bid to combat the deadly third wave of Coronavirus, a move which appears to have dealt a blow to those seeking to capture the seat in the May 18 by-election.
Some of the contestants have resorted to using development projects to woe voters instead of the hitherto popular public gatherings and road shows which are no longer tenable. Independent candidate Dr. Joseph Gichui says now that meetings are outlawed, the best way out is to take projects to the electorate and he has resorted to grading roads in various areas of the vast constituency.
Dr. Gichui is one of the more than 10 aspirants seeking to replace departed Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu alias Wakapee who succumbed to brain cancer a month ago. The youthful aspirant kicked off his road grading initiative at Murram area of Theta ward and pledged to team up with the county government and other stakeholders to improve infrastructure, healthcare and water supply. Residents welcomed the gesture saying the area has been neglected for too long and that the area becomes impassable whenever it rains.
The seat has attracted a number of hopefuls including Wakapee’s widow Susan Njeri who won the Jubilee Party ticket last Saturday beating four others. Others include; George Koimburi who ditched Jubilee for the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) associated with Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Ken Gachuma, a former Juja NG-CDF chairman who served under Wakapee.
Also in the race are Moses Mwenda, Eunice Wamugo, Zack Nderitu, Dorcas Wanjiru Chege and Moses Marungo.
Dr. Joseph Ng’ang’a and Naftaly Rugara both of whom were seeking the Jubilee ticket are said to be going ahead to contest as independent candidates or join other parties.