Economy

Kimemia leads Kibaki-era officials in political comeback

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Former powerful Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia. FILE PHOTO | NMG

State officers who wielded power in former President Mwai Kibaki’s regime have made a comeback in politics, securing key elective positions in Rift Valley and Central Kenya.

Former powerful Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia heads the list that also includes former Finance minister Amos Kimunya.

Mr Kimemia had by Wednesday booked an unassailable lead in the Nyandarua gubernatorial contest.

Provisional results showed he had garnered 218,690 votes or 79.4 per cent of what had been counted  by the time of going to press.

Mr Ndiritu Muriithi, a nephew of Mr Kibaki’s, also looks set to win the Laikipia gubernatorial race ahead of the incumbent governor Joshua Irungu.

Out of the 98 per cent of the votes counted, Mr Muriithi had 98,843 votes against Mr Irungu’s 96 828. Mr Ndiritu served as Industrialisation assistant minister.

Lee Kinyanjui who served as Roads assistant minister is set to become the next Nakuru governor after he scored 84 per cent or 595,658 of the votes by Wednesday.

READ: Ex-Kibaki men gun for political comeback

Former Vision 2030 director Wahome Gakuru was headed for victory against Nyeri governor Samuel Wamathai after he scored 278,185 or 72.7 per cent of the votes by Wednesday.

Mr Kimunya makes a comeback as Kipipiri MP, Peter Njeru Ndwiga, former Co-operatives minister, is expected to be declared Embu Senator.

Mohamed Kuti, who served as Livestock minister, was headed for victory in the Isiolo gubernatorial race as an independent.