Limuru MP Eng. John Kiragu Chege has won the case that his main rival had leveled against him.
Hon. John Kiragu, who is an independent candidate with a spanner as his symbol, had been accused by the rival of campaigning for president Uhuru Kenyatta. He defeated the one term MP, Peter Mwathi in 2013 to emerge as the people’s choice in Limuru.
The area MP posted on his Facebook on Thursday asking residents to shun away selfish leaders who are after their own personal interests.
”Today I was meant to preside over the official launch of newly constructed modern classes at J. Maara pry school fully funded by Limuru CDF. Unfortunately, my main rival in this elections has instituted a petition against my candidature at the IEBC tribunal on very frivolous and fictitious grounds. I call upon all of us to shun away selfish leaders who are after their own personal interests at the expense of our greater community. I will keep on delivering to the Limuru people and continue seeking your blessings for a second term to complete our transformation agenda for Limuru constituency.” said Kiragu
On Friday, Kiragu said the IEBC tribunal dismissed the case, adding that Limuru people will vote for Uhuru having benefited hugely from his government with infrastructural projects and government programs.
”The case that had been leveled against me by my competitor for campaigning for Uhuru Kenyatta has been dismissed this evening by the IEBC tribunal. Limuru will vote for Uhuru having benefited hugely from his government with infrastructural projects and government programs,” said Kiragu
Kiragu has worked closely with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure as well as other government and private entities to negotiate for roads and infrastructural development in the area, uplifting Limuru to an upscale commercial and residential area.
According to local residents, Kiragu lost the nominations to Mwathi due to propaganda that rocked the entire Kiambu county during the nomination period.
”Kiragu is a good man, but he could not take the pressure that came with the nominations and all the propaganda that was framed against him by his rivals, he was too soft” said Moses Mwaura, a resident who spoke to Jamhuri News reporter in Limuru town.
Mwathi’s handler who requested anonymity said that he is supporting him because his dreams are bigger than Limuru.
”Our Mheshimiwa [Mwathi] is aiming for the governorship in 2022. Actually, we want Waititu to win because he will be easier to defeat than Kabogo in 2022” said the handler.
”Lakini sasa unaona watu wa Limuru wanaogopa kumchagua wakisema atapeleka maendeleo mbali na Limuru ndio ajenge jina yake Kiambu, hapo tu ndio watu wanaogopa kumchagua.” which loosely translates to ”but now you see Limuru residents are hesitant to vote for Mwathi since they believe he will take all developments far from Limuru to build his profile for Kiambu governorship in the future” the handler said.
Limuru has become an upscale Nairobi suburb, acting as a dormitory for Nairobi middle-class workers.
The area is now a hub for investors and realtors, with mega infrastructural projects going on such as the Limuru Mall, which will have Tuskeys as the anchor tenant and other high-end non-anchors such as Java, rushing to capitalize on the growth and stability that the area has seen under the current regime.