As the campaigns for the 2027 general elections approach, residents of Limuru constituency in Kiambu county have been urged to check on individuals, rather than political parties.
Kennedy Njoka, a political analyst says that party politics leaves electorates losing able leaders when they rush to elect leaders contesting with popular party tickets.
Njoka has urged locals to change the taste of the constituency by dropping the two leaders who they have been electing as members of parliament for close to twenty years.
Njoka notes that they have been electing the incumbent legislator John Kiragu and keep on exchanging him with former MP Peter Mwathi.
Another resident Simon Njihia says that Kiragu was elected in 2002 on a Kanu ticket, when former President the late Mwai Kibaki was elected.
Later in 2007, Kiragu lost the seat to Mwathi who contested on a Ford People ticket and ended the Kibaki term but lost the seat again to Kiragu during the 2013 general election when former President Uhuru Kenyatta took over the leadership of this country.
During Uhuru’s campaign for the second term, Kiragu lost the seat to Mwathi and later when the incumbent President William Ruto took over, Kiragu who contested for the seat on a UDA ticket was elected the legislator.
Njihia says the time has come for the locals to follow individuals but not the party politics.
“We have been recycling these two leaders because of the party’s they have been seeking for elections with. This time round, we are campaigning that this seat does not belong to the two, but other men and women who are ready to serve locals.” he said.
He says some politicians like Charles Kamau popularly known as Kamau Livondo have been contesting all years without giving up should be considered.
Speaking at Limuru town on Tuesday, Livondo says that he started contesting in 2002 and has been seeking for the parliamentary seat in each and every election.
“I believe in myself, I still have the energy to serve the people of this constituency. I have never lost and I have never stopped visiting people and even attending to their different activities and events” he said.
“I have a lot of work I wanted to do in this constituency, it has never been done and I feel it is still fresh. Once they give me a chance, they will not believe it” Livondo said without giving details.
The politician urges youths to keep peace during the campaigns so that they can learn the promises the politicians will campaign with.
“It is unfortunate that our people have been crying for so many years since politicians have misled them with party politics. Today, locals have learnt a lot of lessons. I’m sure that during the next general election, we will not look at the party, but at a person, that person who will bring change” Livondo added.
