Ngilu’s Political comeback Raises Mixed Reactions

By Paul kanyange Mutua.

Remarks by madam Ngilu to reclaim the gubernatorial seat in 2027 election have elicited mixed reactions from leaders and residents in the expansive county.

The social media platforms were awash with comments by residents in the eight sub counties, expressing their divergent views over mama’s comeback vow.

One resident wrote in the social media that “if you want your candidate to win and form government, start by telling the candidate the truth and paint the picture as it is. Massaging your candidate’s ego only serves to the short term gain of a small handout halafu utakaa nje ya serikali miaka tano bure tu ukiona (then you’ll be out of government for the next five years for no apparent reason).

Another post read “Mama Ngilu has tried going on retirement but Kitui residents have told her to forget about retirement for now. Remember she willingly decided not to contest in the last election. Kitui residents have called on her to come and serve them. Who is she to say no to her people?”.
But Speaking in his constituency at the weekend, UDA’s Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai joined the debate, saying the county was not ready for another term under the mama’s leadership.

Mbai said as leaders they will unite and front for the incumbent Governor Julius Malombe to run for the gubernatorial seat for third term in the next general election.

The MP led MCAs from his constituency in praising Dr Malombe as a progressive leader who, if given time, can lead the county into more advantageous steps in changing people’s livelihoods.

“If there are grey areas in the constitution, commonly referred to as lacuna, as Kitui East leaders will sit down and agree to give Dr Malombe another five years to continue improving the livelihoods of people until 2032,” Mbai said.

There is consensus that the governor’s development track record is the basis of people’s desire for him to remain in office until 2032.

Mbai, backed by significant supporters in the eight sub counties, hopes that the “lacuna” issue and the constitutional review will favour Malombe based on the fact that he won in 2013 elections but lost in 2017. He was re-elected in 2022.

Chapter two – The Republic, Article 180 – Election of county governor and deputy county governor states that a person shall not hold office––

(a) As a county governor for more than two terms or (b) As a deputy county governor for more than two terms. The reactions come barely few days after Ngilu declared she was ready to serve better and vowed to reclaim her seat in the next polls.

“It was time Malombe put his efforts into serving the people because he will not have another chance beyond 2027, as dictated by the constitution. Let him serve and go home in 2027,” she said.

Ngilu’s allies who requested anonymity said Malombe was using “lacuna” as a tactic to keep his supporters close to him and avoid a situation where his government would disorient and crumble before 2027.

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