Two Tharaka Nithi MPs show interest in gubernatorial seat

Chuka,

Saturday, December 23, 2023

KNA by David Mutwiri

Two legislators from Tharaka Nithi County have shown interest gubernatorial seat once the current governor completes his second and final term in office.

Tharaka Nithi county Woman Representative, Ms. Susan Ngugi and the Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki have disclosed their gubernatorial ambitions in separate occasions this month.

Ms Ngugi disclosed her ambitions during an event where she donated foodstuffs and disbursed some National Government Affirmative Action (NGAAF) funds to a women group involved in tree planting from Mugwe ward, Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency on Thursday this week.

The former Marimanti ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) has apparently come in handy to challenge the ambitions of the Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki who seems to be the preferred successor by the current governor.

Speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations held at Picnic grounds in Chuka town the Maara Constituency MP Kareke Mbiuki disclosed his ambitions and promised to visit many homesteads during this festive season. This was his second time to openly disclose his ambitions the first having been during the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Kairini grounds in Maara Constituency.

Ms. Ngugi hit the road running, immediately she took office, and in a way gave life to the county that has experienced many moribund projects that include construction of roads and irrigation dams despite much capital investment from the national government.

 She is ensuring NGAAF money helps groups to foster self- empowering projects and as need arises, chipping in to help the needy students pay their school fees. She has further established a Rescue Foundation.

On Thursday, the Woman Rep hailed the Mugwe women for organizing themselves into a group that reaches out to People Living with Severe Disabilities but cautioned them against entrusting their funds with people of questionable character.

“Appreciating the presence of these people and inviting them to participate in a colourful event like this makes them feel honoured. Yours is a very noble cause,” Ms. Ngugi emphasized adding that some groups have lost their funds to unscrupulous treasurers and hence a need to be vigilant while electing officials.

She cited the Meru Governor, Kawira Mwangaza and Florence Kajuju who is the Chairperson of the Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) as role models.

She also reiterated that those who receive the NGAAF funds must utilize the money for the projects indicated in their proposals and in case of change there should be a formal meeting with minutes to that effect.

 She officially commissioned a vehicle for rescue services across the County in an initiative dubbed ‘Susan Mwindu rescue services,’ meant to help those stranded in sorry situations.

The rescue services will benefit the sick, expectant mothers, GBV, FGM, and defilement victims among other needy cases.

“I was elected to take care of the less fortunate in the County and I am determined to serve them to my level best,” Susan said during one of the rescue events.

The Woman Representative reiterated that that plans are underway through her office and the county government to build rehabilitation and rescue centres to help accommodate drug addicts as well as defiled, special needs and other vulnerable children.

She explained that she has liaised with Governor Muthomi Njuki for public land to construct the centres, adding that the projects would commence immediately the land is availed.

Courtesy; KNA