Central Kenya MPs now back Majimbo

Central Kenya MPs now back Majimbo

By MUGUMO MUNENE
and WATORO KAMAU

Central Kenya MPs have agreed for the first time to back Majimbo – a federal system of government.

The policy switch came during a marathon meeting of the Central Kenya Parliamentary Group which ended at 2am yesterday.

Previously the MPs, mainly from the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association (Gema), had insisted Majimbo would be too expensive for Kenya.

Discussions at the meeting – at La belle Inn in Naivasha – centred on the MPs' political survival and their representation in the next government after President Moi retires.

Key to that aim, one MP said, was the need to mobilise Central Kenya communities to join a single political party to ensure they have strong bargaining power in the formation of the next government.

The group believes that if they support a single political party along with "some selected friendly communities" they could comfortably win at least 70 to 80 Parliamentary seats.

The MPs also discussed strategies for the economic revival of Central Kenya and ways of ensuring that the region was fully represented in a future goverrnment.

Within that context four of the MPs said they would not be opposed to supporting a Kanu candidate at the next General Election, although a clear majority of the 35 MPs present later claimed the four had been giving only their personal views and did not speak either for the Parliamentary group or for Gema.

The marathon meeting started on Thursday at 8 pm.

The MPs were mainly from the Democratic Party, Ford-People, the Social Democratic Party and Safina, while Gatundu South MP Moses Muihia and Dagoretti MP Beth Mugo attended the group's meeting for the first time.

DP chairman Mwai Kibaki skipped the talks, which were chaired by group chairman and DP patron Njenga Karume (Kiambaa). Kieni's Chris Murungaru was secretary.

Speaking to the Nation later, Mr Karume said that the group was planning another meeting in Nairobi next week.

"We discussed the development of Central Kenya but we shall tell you more then," Mr Karume said.

Kanu's President Moi and NDP leader Raila Odinga have now been mandated by their parties to work out a merger.

On the other hand, Mr Kibaki, who is believed to support the Central Kenya group, has been in talks with Ford Kenya's Kijana Wamalwa and NPK leader Charity Ngilu in search of alignment.

Sources at the Naivasha meeting told the Nation that members had in a radical departure resolved to support majimbo; the federal system of government.

"We have now decided to go for majimbo but we still stand by our position that we should have a government of national unity," a source told the Nation yesterday.

However, they have set one condition for majimbo – that the provincial boundaries are reworked and people allowed to register in the jimbo (federal state) of their choice.

They plan to present their detailed proposals on this to the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission when it begins collecting views.

The meeting discussed the coffee industry and resolved to demand the release of the remaining Stabex cash.

"We have to fight for the political and economic empowerment of our people and find ways of tackling the elections. That is why we met. We are particularly angered by the Government's refusal to release the Stabex funds in toto. We are tired of waiting," another MP said.

The MPs also complained that the Government was dragging its feet over implementation of the Donde Act to regulate interest rates and the Coffee Bill which is yet to be tabled .

MPs Matu Wamae, Chris Murungaru and Muhika Mutahi, said the meeting discussed which leaders could reach out to other Kenyan communities.

Dr Murungaru said: "Nevertheless this was a special meeting and that is why we decided to meet at night when there is not much distraction."

Dr Murungaru gave the Nation a list of MPs who attended the meeting. They included; Joseph Kuria Mukira (Subukia), Paul Kihara (Naivasha), Martha Karua (Gichugu), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Kamande Mwangi (Maragwa), Maina Njakwe (Mathioya), Joshua Toro (Kandara), Chege Mbitiru (Laikipia West), Muriuki Karue (Ol Kalao), James Kibicho (Ndia), David Manyara (Nakuru Town), Mwangi Githiomi (Kipipiri), Philip Gitonga (Lari), Beth Mugo (Dagoretti), Norman Nyaga (Kamukunji), Njehu Gatabaki (Githunguri), Patrick Muiruri (Gatundu North), David Mwenje (Embakasi), Stephen Ndichu (Juja), David Murathe (Gatanga), Njeru Ndwiga (Manyatta), Thirikwa Kamau (Ndaragwa), Ngenye Kariuki (Kiharu), Adolf Muchiri (Kasarani), Alfred Nderitu (Mwea), Moses Muihia (Gatundu South), John Michuki (Kangema), Matere Keriri (Kerugoya Kutus), Kihara Mwangi (Kigumo), David Mwiraria (Imenti North) and Kiraitu Murungi (Imenti South).

Kathita Bridge money MISAPPROPRIATED

Those of you had the opportunity to scrutinize the utility of CDF money in central Imenti must be begging for answers regarding Kathita Bridge. (mboroki published a copy of this report on his site www.mbichimboroki.bravehost.com/cdf.html ) How comes guys that 2M was used and no stone was laid on another. Huu ni wizi wa hali ya juu!!!

Humprey Kiruki stepped down, ama sio?

A post on http://onkangiforkitutuchache.com/Documents/ASPIRING%20YOUNG%20MP'S%20IN%202007.pdf
shows that Humprey Mwiti is still running. Didnt this guy step down? Who has any news?

Women claim their share in Central Imenti

Women have now come out strongly to claim their political space in central Imenti, two women who have now come in include Salome Kigaatiira and Josphine Gacheri, but how they will perform remains a people's verdict on 27th.

Meanwhile the voter statistics on Central Imenti stands as follows:

Registered Voters
Total Registered voters: 71,604
Female: 34,132
Male: 37,472

Incumbent MP
M'Mukindia, Kirugi (NARC)

Female parliamentary aspirants
Mrs Kigatiira
Salome Kathumi

Josphine Gacheri

Who has visited this blogger on wazalendo? try its good http://www.mzalendo.com/Members.Details.php?ID=92

25 to wrestle with former Energy minister for Imenti seat

25 to wrestle with former Energy minister for Imenti seat

By IMANENE IMATHIU

Last updated: Fri, Sep 07, 2007 09:52 AM (EAT)

More than 25 people have declared interest in the Central Imenti parliamentary seat held by former Energy minister Kirugi M’Mukindia.

Mr M’Mukindia reclaimed the seat on a Narc ticket in 2002 after defeating lawyer Gitobu Imanyara who had sent him packing in 1997 after two terms.

The campaigns are likely to renew rivalry between Mr M’Mukindia and Mr Imanyara.

Other candidates include Mr Murugu Mugwika, Mr Fabian Murugu and Mr Dominic Muthuuri. The rest are the Rev Moses Kirima, Mr Muriungi Kiugu and Mr Martin Mugambi Mithega, who is Mr M’Mukindia’s nephew.

Mr Nelson Kaimenyi, Mr Justus Wambutura and Mr Moses Nthurima are also in the race.

Poor infrastructure, including roads and bridges, collapsed coffee and cotton sub-sectors, declining education standards and rural electrification are among issues likely to feature in the campaigns.

Farmers cannot access markets because of poor roads and they watch helplessly as bananas and other fruits rot on farms.

Mr Murugu rounds off his campaign message: “It is economics, economics and economics.” This area is considered a Narc Kenya domain and although many of the aspirants are hesitant to declare their parties, those who are targeting the flower group are not shy.

Mr Kaimenyi, Mr M’Mukindia, the Rev Kirima, Mr Imanyara, Mr Kiugu and Mr Wambutura intend to seek the Narc-K ticket. Aspirants Murugu and Muthuri are targeting Democratic Party of Kenya and Ford People respectively.

Mr Mugwika, who was third behind Mr M’Mukindia and Mr Imanyara in 2002 on a Kanu ticket, has not declared his party.

He has played off the Uhuru Kenyatta group of Kanu against the Nicholas Biwott faction, even as he actively supported the revival of Green African Party under Gachoka MP Joseph Nyaga’s leadership.

Mr Nthurima, who is the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers deputy secretary general, has also kept his supporters guessing on his preferred party.

Mr Muriungi will be running on a Narc-K ticket. Political temperatures have already started rising among the aspirants.

For instance, some Narc-K aspirants cried foul after secretary-general Mukhisa Kituyi and Justice assistant minister Danson Mungatana accompanied Mr Imanyara to open a party office at Kariene Market in the constituency.

GOD SAVE US FROM OUR SELVES!!

Kiswahili	English
1	1
Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Ilete baraka kwetu Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Natukae na undugu Amani na uhuru Raha tupate na ustawi.	O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders.
2	2
Amkeni ndugu zetu Tufanye sote bidii Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu Nchi yetu ya Kenya Tunayoipenda Tuwe tayari kuilinda	Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavour And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendour Firm may we stand to defend.
3	3
Natujenge taifa letu Ee, ndio wajibu wetu Kenya istahili heshima Tuungane mikono Pamoja kazini Kila siku tuwe na shukrani	Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labour Fill every heart with thanksgiving.