Mutahi Kahiga declares bid for Nyeri Senate seat

By Newsflash Writer

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has announced his intention to contest for the Nyeri Senatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, saying he is best placed to safeguard the county’s interests at the Senate.

Speaking on Friday, August 14, during the handing over of Wezesha Initiative merchandise to community groups at Ngooru Grounds in Mukurwe-ini Central Ward, Mukurwe-ini, Kahiga said he would formally seek residents’ support when the time was right.

The position is currently held by Senator Wahome Wamatinga, a close ally of President William Ruto. Wamatinga was elected in 2022 on the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

“Because I know I have worked for you, there is a request I will make to you when the right time comes,” Kahiga told residents.

He urged voters to consider his record as governor, warning that the county could lose momentum if they elected a senator who would fail to ensure continuity of development projects undertaken over the past decade.

“We may slip as a County if we elect someone who will not work effectively to ensure continuity of the work we have done for the past ten years. And that person is the Senator,” he said.

Kahiga cites county funding

Kahiga said one of the key responsibilities of a senator was to champion adequate funding for counties, arguing that Nyeri was among counties receiving relatively low allocations from the national government.

“The work of a Senator is twofold; one is to ensure that money comes to the county. Nyeri is one of the counties which receives very little allocation. Others are Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi and Lamu,” he said.

He claimed Nyeri receives about Sh6 billion from the national government, compared with Sh14 billion allocated to Wajir, arguing that the disparity demonstrated the need for strong representation at the Senate.

“The biggest war to ensure that counties receive enough funding is fought at the Senate. The supervisor of the County funds is the Senator,” Kahiga said.

He also defended his record on management of county resources, asking residents to assess his 10-year tenure before deciding whether to support his Senate bid.

“I want to ask you; for the ten years that I have worked for you, can I allow county funds to be looted? When the right time comes, I will come and request you to give me that seat,” he said.

Kahiga further claimed he was the only leader from the Mt Kenya region who stood with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), during his political fallout with President William Ruto’s administration.

The governor also revealed that he deliberately concealed his political position from Ruto to ensure key development projects in Nyeri were completed.

“I told him [Ruto] that I will only endorse him for a second term if he completes all key projects in the County…I had to be clever,” Kahiga said.