John Njuguna Wanjiku is the Kiambaa MP-elect in the closely contested by-election.
Popularly known as “Kawanjiku” among his constituents, he clinched victory on Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
He garnered 21,773 votes against his rival of the Jubilee Party, Kariri Njama, who got 21,263 votes.
The MP-elect thanked Kiambaa voters “for having faith in his and entrusting him with their votes.”
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Kikuyu’s Kimani Ichung’wah said UDA has shown power rising above “intimidation by government machinery.”
Ndindi, a staunch supporter of Ruto’s hustler movement, congratulated Njuguna while thanking God for the great win.
He said it is great seeing “a man who once sold chicken intestines for a living” take charge to lead constituents on a national level.
The Kiambaa by-election was a high-stakes political play between Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose beloved Jubilee Party lost a seat for the second time in his backyard.
Pundits say the Kiambaa by-election reflects high-stakes politics likely to engulf the country in 2022 when Kenyans return to the ballot to pick the fifth president.
The 2022 debacle will be between Ruto and Raila Odinga. Analysts say this will be Kenya’s hotly contested poll since independence.
