Bishop Margaret Wanjiru joins opposition, eyes Nairobi governor seat
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s decision to join the opposition and revive her bid for Nairobi governor seat has opened a fresh front in the battle for control of the capital.
Speaking on Sunday during the launch of her campaign, Ms Wanjiru, a former close ally of President William Ruto, said the country needed a change of leadership and declared that she would work with opposition leaders to build an alternative government, starting with Nairobi.
“I’m joining hands with the leaders from the opposition side. We are working with the United Alternative Government to restore our country, starting with Nairobi County,” Bishop Wanjiru said, adding that she will vie on the Kenya Moja Movement Party ticket.
She said her decision followed wider consultations with her supporters and opposition leaders including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Dr Fred Matiang’i, among others.
“The people of this county want a leader whom they can trust with their resources, someone who is firm, someone who is transparent, honest and dependable. A leader whose value is top-notch,” Bishop Wanjiru said.
Last month, Bishop Wanjiru resigned as chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Commission, a position to which she had been appointed by President Ruto.
She reiterated that she would not change her decision, as she did in the last election, raising questions over the position of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), which has already settled on Embakasi North MP James Gakuya as its preferred candidate.
“In the last election, they stole our vision, but they did not kill the spirit. Now the owners of Nairobi mpya are back and the vision is still alive. In partnership with you Nairobians, I will clean the mess in this city.”
Bishop Wanjiru also accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of failing to restore order in the city.
She said dividing the Mt Kenya region would not be easy and called on opposition leaders to strengthen their political bases ahead of the next election.
In the last election, Bishop Wanjiru ran for the Senate on President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, finishing second with 524,091 votes. The seat was won by Senator Edwin Sifuna of the ODM party, who garnered 716,651 votes.
Her decision to settle for the Senate race followed wider consultations which saw her step down from the governor’s race in favour of Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Besides Governor Sakaja, Bishop Wanjiru and Mr Gakuya, other aspirants who have expressed interest in the seat include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Makadara MP George Aladwa and Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri.
