Former Thika MP Engineer Patrick “Jungle” Wainaina addressing journalists during a visit to Magogoni in Thika East. Photo by Lawrence Ongaro.
By Lawrence Ongaro
Leaders have been urged to openly engage with residents and make themselves known to voters ahead of the 2027 General Election to improve their chances of being elected.
Former Thika MP Engineer Patrick “Jungle” Wainaina said he was confident that the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) would conduct a transparent nomination exercise to select its candidate for the Thika Town parliamentary seat.
He said five aspirants had already declared their interest in contesting the seat on the DCP ticket.
“The DCP nominations will be held in March 2027. I believe Thika voters will choose me because of the development projects I initiated when I was their MP,” Mr Wainaina said.
He claimed that several development projects had stalled or deteriorated since he left office and vowed to revive them if elected again.
He cited roads that had fallen into disrepair, making transport difficult during the rainy season, as well as electricity projects that he said had deteriorated, leaving some areas without power.
“If I get another opportunity to be elected, I will work hard to ensure that every project is restored to its rightful place,” he said.
Opposition urged to unite
On the opposition’s efforts to select a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto, Mr Wainaina said the process would be taken seriously.
“The opposition will have to retreat and carefully assess which leader is best suited to fly the presidential flag,” he said.
Mr Patrick “Jungle” Wainaina addressing residents of Magogoni, Thika East. Photo by Lawrence Ongaro.
He said the selection process should be completed in 2027 after further consultations.
“Any leader who withdraws after losing the nominations should understand that the people will not sympathise with them because they would have betrayed the electorate,” he said.
Read more: Wainaina Jungle takes centre stage at DCP Thika rally
Mr Wainaina said any new government elected in 2027 would need to implement specific strategies to transform the country.
He identified job creation and helping young people establish their own businesses as key priorities.
He also called for a renewed fight against corruption, which he said had crippled the country’s economy.
In addition, he said the Constitution must be respected to ensure that every citizen could freely express their views without intimidation or discrimination.
Mr Wainaina has already launched an extensive campaign, engaging residents at the grassroots as he seeks to return to Parliament.
On Wednesday, he visited several areas, including Magogoni, Mukunike, Gatuanyaga and Landless in Thika East, to explain his ambition to return to the parliamentary seat and revive development projects.
He said his extensive experience in leadership and public service made him well suited to serve as Thika MP again.
In 2022, Mr Wainaina contested the Kiambu gubernatorial seat but finished second to Kimani Wamatangi, who was elected governor.
Residents of Magogoni in Thika East listening to Mr Patrick “Jungle” Wainaina’s address. Photo by Lawrence Ongaro.
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