The government is dangling the development carrot in Mbeere North to win the hearts of voters, with residents being warned that a vote for the opposition candidate was likely to see ongoing projects abandoned.
At the same time, residents said they were happy with the ongoing campaign because there's money in circulation.
“We are happy with the goodies and handouts, but we can’t be influenced to vote in the wrong leader. We shall elect a leader of our choice,” Mr Kennedy Njeru said.
The key projects funded by the national government in the constituency include the tarmacking of Siakago-Kanyuambora and Gukuyari-Muminji-Kirie-Ishiara roads.
Embu County has also benefited from 12 modern markets, including three in Mbeere North, Prof Kindiki added.
“As your neighbour from Tharaka-Nithi, I am pleading with you not to be enticed into the opposition by those who don’t mean well and losing the goodwill to complete all these projects,” he said.
The DP, who is leading the campaigns for the UDA candidate, Mr Leonard Muthende, popularly known as Leo, claimed some leaders in the opposition have resorted to violence.
Speaking at Karambare, Kamumu and Ishiara markets, Prof Kindiki said those insulting local leaders, including Mr Gachagua, occupied senior positions in government previously but did nothing to improve the lives of people in the area. He accused the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, of imposing himself as the kingpin of the Mt Kenya region.
He added that the ruling coalition is fully behind Mr Muthende’s candidature because he is fit and is best placed to take the constituency forward.
Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi and his Mbeere South counterpart Nebart Muriuki lamented that Mbeere North has been marginalised for decades and called on the residents to elect a government candidate for the sake of development.
Mr Gachagua alleged a plot to ensure that the people of Mbeere North don’t vote for the joint opposition candidate Newton Kariuki of DP. He said the government is instilling fear among the residents by deploying armed police officers in the area.
“We will not buy fear in this election, and I am sure that the people of Mbeere will not allow it,” he said.
He added that the UDA party was dead and that it would not influence the voting pattern in Mt Kenya region.
“Let us respect our people in the region and vote out the regime because it is killing our people,” he said.
He hit out at Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, branding him a traitor.
“When Ruku tried to vie, he could not make it until former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti held his hand, that was when he won, now he’s coming around talking about development," said Mr Gachagua.
He continued: “Our candidate will win this election because we have confidence in him. Eat the money and vote for Kariuki because he is the person who will liberate you as the son of Mbeere.”
Mr Kariuki, popularly known as Karish, said the joint opposition team will be on high alert “to ensure that the government does not mess up the by-election”.
