Team Nguvu starts ahead in KNCCI polls – Weekly Citizen

KNCCI Vice chair Mr. James Mureu

Richard Ngatia, Chairman KNCCI

The race for Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry election is shaping up with the emergence of Team Nguvu starting as frontrunners.
Already, the team Nguvu which compromises of aspirants that have come together to go for various seats at the national office has a head start. Team Nguvu supports Nairobi branch chairman Richard Ngatia to succeed outgoing Kiprono Kittony as president.

Charles Wako

Team Nguvu got a major boost after one of the contenders withdrew from the race and vowed to support their man Ngatia for chairmanship.
Stephen Mbugua, the Membership and Business Development Committee chairman threw his weight behind Ngatia. Laban Onditi, a well known name in KNCCI matters has also decided to back Ngatia.
Kiprono is the current KNCCI president after serving for two terms since 2012.
Ngatia will now face KNCCI vice chairman James Mureu. Murea enjoys support from coast based delegates. He is the national vice chairman.
The polls are to be held mid this year. KNCCI is the largest business membership organisation in the country with offices in 47 counties.
The chamber has also introduced a position of second vice president.
Those seeking to contest for First vice president position are Charles Wako, Julius Opiyo and Fatma ElMaawy.
Sources within KNCCI say campaigns and intense lobbying are currently on with delegates being targeted. Recently in Kisii, delegates from Lake Region economic bloc held a meeting and threw their weight behind Team Nguvu that also has Wako. With the lake economic bloc, Central, Eastern, North Eastern, Nairobi and Rift Valley delegates will drift towards Ngatia camp now referred to as Team Nguvu. It is eagerly awaited to see what tricks the other opponents will use to win.
Those contesting for positions of regional directors are Rodgers Mulemi (Western), Paul Ouma (Nyanza), Thinguri Waruathe (Central), Samuel Kanyi and Jacob Godana (Upper Eastern).
Others are Patrick Musee (Lower Eastern), Deche Kashero (Coast) and Charles Mose (North Rift Valley). Those contesting for national office positions must have been chamber members for at least five years.
Murea camp is said to be reaching out to delegates to counter Team Nguvu campaign strategies.