Central

Women’s leadership in Central Province is as old as the aboriginal traditions of the Agikuyu — the dominant community in the area. Interestingly, sexism among this community runs equally deep. Nothing demonstrates both facts better than the story of the undemocratic ouster of the mythical Wangu wa Makeri, the totalitarian matriarch who ruled the Agikuyu with an iron fist.

But, over time, the situation has changed substantially, partly because civilisation has caught up with traditions and because women are generally hard working and  there are a number of outstanding women politicians from this region such as Professor Wangari Maathai who made history as the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace prize and  Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Martha Karua, who has represented Gichugu for tree terms in a row, a sign that the politician is a leader of unquestionable staying power.

Needless to say the two will defend their seats to the hilt in the coming polls.

For a decade and a half, Ms Martha Karua has bestridden Gichugu constituency like a colossus. But the seat she first won on an opposition ticket in 1992 could slip off her hands. Ms Karua considered to be one of the three most powerful ministers in President Kibaki’s administration will have an uphill task recapturing the seat for the fourth time.
However, Ms Karua is no push-over. She has political experience and what it takes to win: Resources. She will also be pointing to her development projects, such as the giant Riamatu Water Projects in her own Kirima location which is now being extended to Kabare.

Generally, the women politicians have one thing in common: all want to empower women and youth in every aspect. They believe only women leaders understand issues that affect these crucial segments of mankind.

To reach out to the voters, the majority are involved in numerous community-based development projects like medical camps and village banking, among others.

For the eighth time, Mrs Beatrice Kanini Nyagah will be trying her luck at the Gachoka seat.
Githunguri is one constituency in Kenya that has not been effectively represented, owing to the poor health of incumbent MP Arthur Magugu since he was sworn in four years ago.

Candidates already on the ground, either starting youth funds or women projects. The seat has attracted Mrs Rose Waruhiu; former Chief Justice Cecil Miller’s widow, Nyagitha Miller; psychologist Tabitha Murungu, better know as Aunt Tabby and Pauline Wanjiku. Apart from Mrs Waruhiu, who is vying on the Democratic Party ticket, the rest are either in Narc-K or any “Kibaki friendly” party.

In Juja also gunning for the seat include Ms Alice Wambui Ng’ang’a, who is in the mining industry and is said to be capable of pulling a surprise, Beatrice Kamamia, Eunice Gathigia  and Mary Kirika.

Though accused of being “rare” Kabete MP Paul Muite is probably the only MP in the country who has perpetually won a seat on his own without necessarily riding on the party of the moment. But despite being credited with managing his CDF programs well, he will be facing the biggest group of contenders for the seat. Those hoping to capture the seat are Ms Nancy Njunji Hinga, the regional advisor for Tearfund, a UK-based Non-Governmental Organisation, who has been doing rounds in the constituency, businesswoman Elizabeth Kamau and local agricultural extension officer Mary Ndung’u.

Party affiliation, which has for the last three general elections determined who wins the Kandara parliamentary seat, in Murang’a district will play a key role in the coming elections with aspirants such as lawyer and human rights activist Alice Muthoni Wahome one of the front-runners who contested the seat for the first time in 2002 and political activist Veronica Waithera.

In Kiambaa, veteran politician James Njenga Karume faces Ms Lillian Wakiiya Mwaura and Ms Philomena Njeri Ikonya who are out to grab the seat.

In Kigumo, a constituency once represented by First Kenya President Jomo Kenyatta the mother of all battles in fighting a strong tide of youthful candidates is bound to be witnessed. They include Ms Njeri Mwangi and lawyer Alice Gichohi. Key issues of concern will be education standards and health-care.

Kinangop MP Waithaka Mwangi will be fighting hard against Anne Kirima who has popularised herself through women group activities, Ms Joyce Nyambura and Ms Mary Wamahiu, to try and win a record third term in a rural constituency with rich soils.
Lari constituency is set for an exciting transition, with most of the candidates fighting for Narc Kenya and Democratic Party tickets, pitting the old against the new generation. An aspirant Caroline Wambui Ng’ang’a, who comes from lower Lari, will mainly be wooing women voters.

With most of the candidates looking for either Narc Kenya or Democratic Party nomination, Maragwa constituency is a fruit basket. The seat has for the first time attracted a woman, Gathoni wa Muchomba a broadcaster.

The Ndaragwa seat has in the race, youthful aspirant and United Nations official, Ms Faith Wairimu Gitau, who is from Simbara area and who has been holding meetings and attending fund-raising functions to woo the voters.

Ndia normally witnesses low-key campaigns, compared to the other three constituencies in Kirinyaga district. It will not be smooth sailing for this time the scramble for the over 55,000 votes has seen the entry of at least seven contenders including Dr Marion Mutugi, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture and Technology who will seek the seat on a DP ticket. 

As campaigns centre on the issues of water, use of constituency development fund (CDF) and the shamba system in the Aberdare forest, Nobel laureate Prof Wangari Maathai, a politician of her own, has a hard task ahead to retain her Tetu seat. Dr Cecilia Mwathi a former university don has declared interest in the seat.

Mathira constituency has attracted the youngest candidate, Edna Githigia, a former intern at the Parliament Buildings. Edna at 23 will be looking to oust the immediate former MP Mr Nderitu Gachagua.

In the race for the seat made famous by Mr Kenneth Matiba, one of the main protagonists in the fight for multi-party democracy, Kiharu comes under focus with the entry of Dr Molly Wamaitha Mwangi, who feels that the neglect and underdevelopment that has plagued the constituency has to be ended by 2007 and pledges to eradicate poverty and unify Kiharu people.

Kieni constituency sees Lucy Kairo challenge former MP Chris Murungaru

Other aspirants to look out for are Lilian W Mwaura and Isabella Karanja in Kiambaa; Agnes Nyaga in Mukurweini; Esther Murugi in Nyeri town; Tabitha Mumbi in Githunguri; Elizabeth Kamau and Nancy Njuhi in Juja, Edna Nyawira in Kerugoya Kutus, Dorcas Njambi in Kieni, Esther Wanjiku, Mercy Muthoni and Nyokabi Kamau in Limuru; Lydia Wanjiku and Christine Macharia in Mwea, Agnes Wanjiku, Wanjiru Muiruri and Njeri Kiagayu in Ndaragwa and Nancy Wanjiku in Ndia, Jedidah Wanyeki in Olkalaou.