Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua has declared her intention to run for the Kirinyaga governor’s seat in an announcement that caught many political analysts by surprise.
This is because it comes weeks after she told Mombasa residents that she would be gunning for the presidency, a position she lost to President Kenyatta in 2013.
Ms Karua joins a crowded field of contestants, such as former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, businessman Bedan Kagai and former minister Njeru Githae.
Incumbent Joseph Ndathi will also be defending his seat.
TWO WOMEN
Ms Karua announced on Twitter that she would use her Narc-Kenya party to run for the seat in a region where Mr Kenyatta's TNA, which recently merged with other parties to form the Jubilee Party, swept all elected seats in 2013
The county is also one of the few, if any, with two women running for the gubernatorial seat.
Ms Karua served as the Gichugu MP for two terms and is a strong defender of the Constitution and the rule of law.
Residents of Kirinyaga received the news of Ms Karua's aspirations with mixed reactions.
Local Jubilee chairman Mureithi Kang'ara said Ms Karua should expect a rough ride.
UPHILL TASK
"The region is a Jubilee zone and it will be an uphill task for Ms Karua, whose party has minority followers in the area," he said.
But the Narc-Kenya leader is most welcome to vie the coveted seat, he added.
"It is her democratic right to contest a seat of her choice," he said.
Incumbent Deputy Governor Julius Njiri also said Ms Karua had done nothing wrong to declare her stand.
"It is her constitutional and democratic rights to vie for the seat. Let her try her luck," said Mr Njiri
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