Muthomi Njuki’s political career facing ultimate test

Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki’s political career is facing the ultimate test as graft allegations now haunt him.

It is baptism by fire for the first-term governor who is battling accusations of embezzling Sh34.9 million county funds through irregular procurement of an incinerator.

Mr Njuki was Tuesday charged alongside his wife Margaret Muthoni, six businessmen, four trading companies and nine county officials who denied 16 corruption counts levelled against them.

The county boss, with his co-accused, presented himself to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) headquarters in Nairobi on Monday after Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered his arrest and prosecution last week on Friday.

First term governor

The embattled Mr Njuki is serving his first term as the governor of Tharaka-Nithi after defeating Mr Samuel Ragwa during the 2017 General Elections. He was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.

Mr Njuki joined politics in 2013 as Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP on Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), which was headed by Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi. The party was later dissolved.

He is a holder of a bachelor's degree in Education, Botany and Zoology from Kenyatta University and has a master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovations Management from the University of Nairobi.

The governor, as an entrepreneur, has worked with various telecommunications companies in Africa as a partner offering various products and services.

Before venturing into politics and business, Mr Njuki worked as a secondary school teacher for a few years after graduating with the bachelor’s degree.

Immediately after becoming MP, Mr Njuki started salivating for the gubernatorial seat and immediately launched his campaigns which he sustained for the five years.

Political allies

With the help of his close political allies Senator Kithure Kindiki, Woman Rep Beatrice Nkatha, Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene and Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, Mr Njuki dethroned Mr Ragwa who was defending the seat on a Narc Kenya ticket.

Besides enjoying the immense support from the county’s political bigwigs, Mr Njuki’s five-year scorecard as MP convinced residents that given a chance as a governor, he would bring fortunes to them.

Some of his achievements as an MP included lobbying for the tarmacking of Chuka town streets, Chuka-Kiangondu-Ndagani road and Kirubia-Kambandi-Weru road among others.

He also constructed a constituency executive office bloc, the modern Chuka-open-air market and also championed for the construction of Kirubia stadium that is now near completion.

Supported the underprivileged

Through his family foundation, Njuki also supported the underprivileged in the society, enabling them to join secondary schools, support which he extended to the whole county.

A few months after his inauguration ceremony which was attended by thousands of people, Njuki started differing with Prof Kindiki and MP Munene but MP Mbiuki and Ms Nkatha remained silent on the progress in the county.

Prof Kindiki and Mr Munene accused the governor of corruption and taking political credit for projects funded by the national government, allegations that Njuki dismissed as lies aimed at ruining his reputation.

Mr Njuki publicly accused Prof Kindiki of demanding from him Sh2 million monthly, allegations that the senator dismissed and asked him to report him to government investigative agencies if he had any evidence.

The governor still maintains that senator is tainting his name with corruption accusations because he is interested in the gubernatorial seat come 2022.

Later, the governor also started differing with his deputy, Nyamu Kagwima, who also accused him of corruption, allegations which Njuki also dismissed as intimidation aimed at compelling him to bribe him.

County ‘opposition’

Mr Kagwima later joined Chuka University Vice Chancellor Erastus Njoka, Mr Ragwa, former MP and 2017 gubernatorial aspirant Petkey Miriti and formed the ‘opposition’ wing in the county.

Prof Njoka, who is serving his second and last term as the Chuka University VC, is also said to be angling for the governor’s position in 2022.

As a governor, Mr Njuki has achieved several things such as the establishment of Kathwana Municipality, tarmacking of Kathwana town streets, construction of about six open-air markets at Kathangacini, Nkondi, Kaare and Kaanwa among others.

He has also significantly improved the health sector by employing specialists and equipping hospitals, making sure that specialised treatment is offered at the county hospitals.

Mr Njuki has also seen the recruitment of 1265 community health volunteers (CHVs) who have helped reduce disease outbreaks including cholera which was initially a big problem in the county.

He has also automated revenue collection systems and hospital systems, reducing theft of money and drugs and also improving services.

The governor has also established subsidised artificial insemination (AI) services and farmers are now paying Sh4,500 for services which were being acquired at Sh7500.

Currently, Mr Njuki’s administration is also tarmacking several roads across the county including Tunyai-Nthaara, Mitheru-Kaanwa and Kambandi-Itugururu among others.

In education, Governor Njuki recently employed on permanent and pensionable terms 400 early childhood development education (ECDE) teachers.

Speaking in Tharaka North Sub-County two weeks ago, Mr Njuki said he is sure that he will be re-elected in 2022 based his performance.

Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia, the director-general of the National Museums of Kenya and Mr Gitari Mbiuki, who is the current Machakos County Assembly clerk, have already publicly announced their bids to unseat Njuki in 2022.

On his side, Mr Kagwima is warming up to take over the county government operations in case his boss is barred from accessing the office.

On Monday, Mr Kagwima told the Nation that he will make sure that the county operations go on normally in the absence of his boss.

“I will make sure that there is no leadership vacuum and that the county government runs uninterrupted in the absence of my boss who is facing an economic crime charge,” said Mr Kagwima.