As the 2027 general elections approach, the Gatundu South parliamentary seat has attracted a number of aspirants, both new and old, as they prepare for the contest, which is expected to be heavily contested.
The constituency is unique in one way or another, considering that it has in the past been represented by two former Presidents: the founding father of independent Kenya, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, between 1963 and 1978, and his son, Uhuru Kenyatta, who served as MP from 2002 to 2013.
Other past MPs include Kenyatta’s nephew, Ngengi Muigai, the late Zacharia Gakunju, the late Kamuiri Gitau, Moses Mwihia, the late Jossy Ngugi, and immediate former Presidential Economic Advisor Moses Kuria.
Below are the aspirants who have declared interest, though the list could expand as we approach 2027.
Hon. GG Kagombe
Kagombe was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. He is said to be a beneficiary of the UDA wave which swept the entire Mount Kenya region, even after one of their kin, the then outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta, pleaded with them to elect his preferred candidate, the late doyen of opposition politics and former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, a plea they ignored almost to a man.
But things have since changed, and the possibility of riding on the incumbency and popularity wave is minimal, considering the dissatisfaction of the electorate over unfulfilled promises by the Kenya Kwanza government, which he is a strong defender of.
Very little development has been witnessed in Gatundu South since the incumbent took over compared to past years, and he will be walking on a tight rope to reclaim the seat.
Another big issue which has been a concern to the electorate is the management of CDF, especially bursaries for needy students. Cases of favouritism and genuinely needy cases being left out are rampant. The big question is how Ruiru constituency, which has a population of over 300,000 according to the 2019 population census is able to assist needy students with Ksh 7,000, while Gatundu South, with a population of 122,000, gives only Ksh 5,000.
The impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where the MP played a role, might also work against him, but only time will tell.
Kung’u Kibathi
Kibathi, who contested as an independent candidate, was the runner-up during the 2022 general election. He secured 15,470 votes against Kagombe’s 17,825.
A strong ground mobilizer, he is believed to be a strong contender against Kagombe. Coming from the populous Ng’enda ward, he might give the incumbent a run for his money, though there are factors to consider, including the large number of aspirants from the ward, who he is likely to share the votes with.
Kibathi has recently been seen in the company of Kiambu County Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) official Bibiana Sovinga. Whether he will run on the DCP party ticket is yet to be known.
Njinji Murigi
Murigi ran for the seat on the Jubilee ticket in 2022 and took the 3rd position after Kagombe and Kibathi.
He currently serves as the Chairperson at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital and also chairs the Board of Management at Gikure Secondary School.
He has been involved in education, healthcare, youth mobilization in sports and social activities, and philanthropical work in the constituency. He has tried as much as possible to be connected with the ground even after failing to clinch the seat. He is viewed by many as one focused on institutional strengthening and community service. In fact, most people interviewed by the Kiambu Observer observed that the real battle for the seat is between Kibathi and Murigi. Like Kibathi, he also comes from Ng’enda Ward.
Murigi, like Kibathi, seems to be warming up to the Gachagua-led Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). If the scenario continues, both will have to face one another in the party primaries.
Joe Kigara
Kigara is the current Member of County Assembly of Ng’enda Ward and the Leader of Minority in the Kiambu County Assembly. He is viewed by many as a hands-on leader who understands community needs and is an independent thinker. He captured the seat on a Jubilee party ticket, a real feat considering the hostility the party faced not only in Kiambu but in the whole of the Mount Kenya region. He is said to be one of the best debaters in the County Assembly.
Due to his independent nature, his biggest undoing is his frosty relationship with Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who has done his best to paint him negatively as a development-unconscious leader by denying him development funds, especially for rural access roads.
Coming from Ng’enda, he further makes the Ward more crowded with aspirants. Being a one-term MCA is also a concern from some quarters about whether he is the right man for the job.
Kigara is expected to again run on a Jubilee ticket, and if party euphoria plays a role and depending on who he will run against during the party nominations, he might spring a surprise, considering the people of Gatundu and the larger Kiambu will most likely listen to the party leader Uhuru Kenyatta, unlike in 2022.
Gabriel Gatika
Gatika comes in as a newcomer in Gatundu South politics, this being his first time to run for political office.
But the former civil servant in the Ministry of National Government and Coordination is not new to issues touching on community needs. Hailing from Mundoro in Kiganjo Ward and settled in Mutomo Ng’enda Ward, he is the only candidate with his feet in two wards. Currently residing in the US, where he is undergoing a Degree in Counselling Psychology, he has been involved in community and philanthropical work throughout his life.
“I realized that what affects the majority of our population is mental health, and I intend to offer free counselling services once I’m through with my studies,” he told the Kiambu Observer on the phone. He is also recognized for assisting the needy on matters of education and also assisting the neglected elderly in the construction of shelter.
What many remember about Gatika is the start of welfare groups where communities come together to help one another in times of distress, like funerals and settling hospital bills. The welfare groups were started in Mutomo and Kimunyu locations by Gatika and a close childhood friend, the late Chief Peter Mbuthia, and have been a source of help to many families who previously were faced with many challenges.
Being the only millennial in the contest, he can use this as an opportunity to appeal to the millennials and Gen Z to rally behind him and make a surprise. Being currently in the diaspora, Gatika has not made public his party of choice, waiting to make the decision when he lands back in the country early next year.
