Its political season again

As Kenya's 2027 politics take shape, the race for Bahati constituency member of parliament seat in Nakuru county is attracting several candidates. Among the notable ones is Mary Justus Mannabay, who's seen as a great threat to the incumbent MP, Irene Njoki Mrembo. This writer sat down for an interview with her recently. She expressed that Bahati constituency had what it takes to be at par with Kiharu constituency but poor leadership is to blame. Here's part of the interview in question and answer format.

Q: Going by the Bahati electorate sentiments that the quartet of the so called Nakuru Girls, that's the governor, senator, women representative, and the MP, should go home and male leadership return with exception of women representative position, what's your take?

A: I believe not everyone subscribes to such archaic reasoning that a woman in leadership is a failure or cannot deliver. Leadership is not defined by gender. We have politicians and leaders. When people elect a politician more than a leader, what do you expect? I'm first a leader and secondary a politician. Leadership without vision is catastrophic.

Q: Speaking of vision, what is your vision for Bahati constituency?

A: Bahati as a constituency has what it takes to be more developed and be a case study for other constituencies to benchmark from. When we see development unevenly spread depending on how the electorate voted, then that's selective development. You don't prioritize development to specific wards because of high voter turnout and punish others because they did not vote for you overwhelmingly. 

Q: Of all aspirants so far, you're the one most castigated by the incumbent camp including being branded names. What's your take?

A: Politics, as they say, is a dirty game. Publicity, whether good or bad, sells. I don't care what they're saying, but whatever, they're indirectly marketing me because the more and more you go on character tarnishing others, the more you're drawing attention to them and making them get noticed. You're simply hyping them. Again, there are those who thrives on controversies or turns them to their advantage.

Q: Speaking on such attacks to your character, we've seen instances you've done a project and its taken down. What's your reaction to this?

A: Let me clarify here I or the Mannabay Foundation doesn't own any project. Whatever we do is for the community benefit. As soon as we hand over a project to a community, that community becomes the custodian of that project. Its duty of the community to protect projects for their own benefits.

Q: What of instances where we see aspirants denied access to venues like public facilities like fields and social halls to promote talent growth?

A: Its very sad that we've people with such mindsets because they've been deluded by power of leadership and believes they've monopoly to everything and blocks others from accessing venues. The youth need talent growth through exposure and such exposure can only happen if they're allowed access to public spaces where they can be noticed and scouted.

Q: Other than championing for talent growth, what are your priorities when elected?

A: Having good road network is key to spurring growth. We've seen roads like Kiti-Murunyu-Githioro road being used as a campaign tool each electoral cycle. Such a road, among others, are key arteries commanding traffic and should have been tarmacked long ago. With good road network, the value of land would appreciate, investors would flock, jobs would be created. How do you justify having big markets but poor access roads to them? How will a farmer evacuate produce to market? Are even real estate developers getting a return on investment given the leadership failure in investing in key and good feeder roads such that you see places considered as prime have lower rental prices owing to poor accessibility? First, invest in roads and create conducive business environment that attract investments that create jobs for local communities. Among other broad priorities, laying down foundation for economic growth through good quality roads is my first priority.

Q: Would you say the current MP is a failure?

A: That's not for me to say. Its the electorate to say through the ballot. How many bills have the MP sponsored at the floor of the House? Other than voting yes to the punitive financial bill that led to Gen Z protests and the affordable housing bill that have seen employees payslips mutilated, what has the MP championed for the Bahati constituency?

 

Q: Will you cross over to the government side once elected in name of getting development funds for the betterment of the constituency?

A: That would be a betrayal to the electorate and to the party. Its a fallacy to claim development can only be unlocked when a leader is close to proximity of power. Look at some constituencies whose leaders are close to the presidency but still lag behind in matters development. 

Q: Your parting shot?

A: Don't vote along a party hype but vote for a leader who committed to serving the electorate. I'm here and ready.