Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has declared his interest to succeed retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2022 presidency, becoming the fifth presidential candidate from the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking shortly after launching his Wakenya Tujibebe Party (WTP), which he will use to seek the 2022 presidency, Kabogo said there, was a need for the GEMA community to plan ahead, saying the vote-rich region risks being left out of government if it will not properly plan.
“I want to urge us all to take the opportunity to plan ourselves. We always cry after every electioneering cycle. If we are not careful others will take advantage of us. That is why I want to vie for the presidency next year,” Kabogo said as quoted by Tuko.co.ke.
Last week, the one-term governor claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta has lost his influence in the mountain, something that could have prompted the former Juja MP to venture into the presidential race.
“He (Uhuru Kenyatta) has no influence in Mt Kenya. Once you finish your term, it is over. (Retired president) Mwai Kibaki was in the position. He retired and left,” Kabogo said.
The Mt Kenya region, which is torn between East (Ameru, Mbeere, and Aembu) and West (Agikuyu), is also divided between Kieleweke (Jubilee party faction supporting President Uhuru) and Tangatanga (Jubilee party faction supporting Deputy President William Ruto).
Kabogo’s announcement comes at a time when four other politicians from the Mt Kenya region have declared their interest to succeed retiring Uhuru Kenyatta.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was among the pioneers from the vote-rich region to declare his interests in succeeding President Uhuru.
Muturi is the only candidate from Mt Kenya East who has declared his State House bid, given that Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, business magnate Jimmy Wangiji, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, and little known Kiambu Bishop Zablon Karanja Mbugua are all from Mt Kenya West.
The five will have to wrestle it out with ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto who are being considered front runners.
