State showers Ol Kalou residents with projects ahead of mini-poll

Lands CS Alice Wahome and Nyandarua woman rep Faith Gitau during the launch of the construction of Nyandarua University at Kapten, Ol Kalou. [James Munyeki, Standard]

With less than a month to the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, the government is launching a series of development projects and empowerment programmes seen as an enticement to voters in favour of its candidate.

While the government defends the projects as a normal response to the locals’ cries, the opposition sees the last-minute development initiatives as use of State resources to influence the electorate. They claim the government is attempting to change the mind of voters in a region with growing discontent with the ruling party and President William Ruto.

For the past few weeks, top government officials and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) representatives have camped in Ol Kalou, launching projects, empowering women and youth, and dishing out handouts. UDA is promising investments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth and women’s empowerment.

The government is sponsoring Muchina Nyaga for the seat.

Yesterday, the Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, launched the first phase of Nyandarua University in the Kapten area. Already, more than 1,000 students have been admitted and are learning on the Salient Secondary School premises.

Speaking during the handover of the construction site, Wahome said the university has secured a total of 91 acres of land, surpassing the minimum acreage required for a public university.

The first phase of the project, estimated at Sh1.3 billion, includes a 1,300-bed hostel, 20 university classrooms and 30 classrooms for the secondary school that donated part of the land.

“This is a promise made by this government since Nyandarua is the only county in the Mt Kenya region that has no university. It is a milestone in our efforts to promote higher education,” said Wahome, adding that the initiative will also promote business in the region.

Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau welcomed the project, saying it will enable students from the county to pursue higher education closer to home while creating employment opportunities for locals. “We will start seeing investors trooping into this region. That is why we are supporting this government.”

Nyaga described the university as a transformative project that will boost education, business and economic growth in the county. He urged residents to support development initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for youth.

Lands CS Alice Wahome and Nyandarua woman rep Faith Gitau during the launch of the construction of Nyandarua University at Kapten, Ol Kalou. [James Munyeki, Standard]

Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria termed the project historic achievement, saying the institution will help correct decades of development imbalance and place Nyandarua at par with neighbouring counties.

Another recent government project, initiated at the height of the campaign, is the launch of the Ol Kalou Land Registry. According to Wahome, the government was responding to residents’ cries, as they initially had to travel either to Nyahururu town for land services.

According to Wahome, required staff have been posted to the Ol Kalou office. “We have heard the cries of the Nyandarua people. They will no longer be travelling to Nyahururu to get services.”

Wahome also issued 2,700 title deeds, especially to those living in colonial villages.

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), which is fronting Sammy Ngotho for the seat, has been countering  the government narrative, arguing that development is a constitutional right rather than a political favour.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu, a close ally of DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alleged that the State has invested significant energy and finances in Ol Kalou to secure victory for the UDA candidate.

Despite intense pressure to buy voter loyalty, he urged the electorate to hold on to their political stance and support their candidate.

The race has attracted nine candidates seeking to fill the seat that fell vacant following the death of David Kiaraho in March.

Other candidates are People’s Renaissance Movement’s Timothy Kamau, Edwin Muchiri of PNU, Stephen Wanyoike (National Liberal Party), Rachael Njoroge (People’s Democratic Party), Edward Mwaniki of the Kenya Moja Movement, and Abdifatah Hussein of the Federal Party of Kenya.