Five eyeing Ngirici’s woman rep seat

The position of women representative in Kirinyaga has so far attracted five aspirants who have publicly declared interest to vie for the position in the August 9 general election.

The five include former county director of administration Rose Wachira, former Kirinyaga assembly speaker Ann Wangechi Githinji, sales professional Sandra Njoki, renowned private detective Jane Mugo and businessperson Emma Wambui.

The incumbent, Wangui Ngirici, declared that she will not be defending her position but will be seeking the governor’s seat currently occupied by Governor Anne Waiguru.

Rose Wachira, locally known as Shujaa for having been recognised and twice awarded with presidential honours is famed for her role in assisting drug addicts from the county.

Wachira said as a professional counsellor she would be able to establish a rehabilitation centre at the Kerugoya referral hospital where treatment of the addicts can be carried out.

“Currently treatment of the addicts in the private institution is very expensive and beyond reach for many of those who need their services,” Wachira said.

She said the establishment will go a long way in improving and rehabilitating the high number of children, teens, and youths trapped in alcohol, drug and substance abuse across the county.

“We have had a high number of suicidal cases in Kirinyaga, which are associated with drug addiction, family disputes, and other societal problems which can  also be addressed at the facility,” she said.

The other contender Ann Wangechi Githinji was the first Kirinyaga County Assembly speaker and later moved to Nyandarua County as their legal representative.

Githinji says she intends to combine her devolution and 20 years of legal expertise in amending, repealing, or enacting laws that will be resourceful in uplifting the lives of horticultural farmers.

Githinji says she will use her position in legislating favourable laws that shall empower and strengthen capacity building in women and youths to ensure responsible utilisation of funds available to these special groups.

She said she is well known for guiding the assembly during the implementation of the devolved system of government.

“I was able to guide the members and ensure smooth enactment of laws governing the issuance of bursaries, ward development funds, health transformation. She has however not disclosed her preferred party.

Sandra Njoki has since declared her candidature on a UDA ticket and said once elected she intends to use her administrative skills to uplift the financial status of the three recognised special groups.

“I will apply a different method to ensure that the National Government Affirmative Action Fund allocated to the woman representative docket boosts the lives of the intended recipients,” Njoki said

“For the funds to serve their intended purpose, I intend to help members come up with profitable income-generating projects that are in sync with the business environment,” she said.

Njoki further said she would help provide the members with key information by connecting them with financial professionals and institutions to help them sustain their projects and exploit their capabilities to the maximum.

She added that, though it is her first time in politics, she believes the voters will believe in her manifesto and, in return, give her an opportunity to serve them.