Laikipia Women Representative Catherine Waruguru may have suffered the biggest embarrassments of her political career recently after the crushing defeat during UDA Party Nomination. While Cate Waruguru may be down, she is definitely not out yet. This is because in Kenya, there is always a back door to almost any situation. Talk about corruption, nepotism, cronyism and what have you.
Make no mistake, winning during the nomination process is extremely important. That is why Kenya was treated to a spectacle when Bahati was asked to step down from running for the Mathare Constituency even after sealing the nomination and being issued the certificate. Kenya is not used to seeing full grown men-who by the way have kids-crying like kids themselves. Yes, the future leader, Bahati did not hide his teary eyes. Pictures of a weeping potential MP were plastered all over national television for all to see the “immense pain” a man can take. I tell you, it was unsettling to watch. What the h?
But here in, we are going to talk about Cate Waruguru. Yes her, just like Bahati, aspired to become the next MP in Kenya’s National Parliament. But here is the difference: Bahati successfully secured his chance to be on the ballot for the MP position under the Jubilee Party. His place was cemented when he was issued the official Jubilee nomination certificate. But Cate Waruguru did not meet the cut. As Kenyas will say, yeye hakutosha mboga (pardon my Swahili).
2022 UDA Party Nomination Loss
Cate Warurugu, the firebrand of Laikipia, the fierce barking dog of Deputy President William Ruto failed to secure the UDA Party nomination for Laikipia East Constituency! Who thought this will happen? What in hell just happened?
By the way, Laikipia East Constituency is geographically located next to Mount Kenya. Albeit on the western part of Kenya’s highest mountain. Why does that matter, you ask? Because Mount Kenya is the heart of the most populous community in Kenya: the Kikuyu people. The Kikuyus reign supreme in this region. But guess who defeated Cate Waruguru, the daughter of Nyumba ya Mumbi, a non-Kikuyu by the name of Ali Amin Deddy Mohamed. Yes sir! That is the guy who put our daughter in her place!
And it is not just a mere defeat, Honourable Ali Amin Deddy Mohamed defeated Cate Waruguru by a landslide. Huge margins! Mr. Mohamed-who is the current MP for Laikipia East- received 12,743 votes while a cocky and overconfident Cate Waruguru only managed to get a mere 5,595 votes.
That is how Cate Waruguru’s aspirations to become an MP for Laikipia East were made dead by Mr. Deddy, Ali Amin Mohamed. Such a deadly name, I say!
Cate Waruguru? Is Her Career Really Over?
On Friday May 20, 2022, Cate Waruguru said, “UDA nominations were unfair, but I have discussed this with our party leader (William Ruto). I will not allow external factors to keep me away from my goals under Kenya Kwanza.”
Whereas Cate Waruguru’s political enemies celebrated her crushing defeat, here political career is far from over. This is because in Kenya, not all politicians are elected. Ask Isaac Mwaura, Millicent Omanga, Honourable Sankok, et al. These people are earning a huge salary even after failing to impress the electors to elect them into political office.
These are nominated MPs. Currently, Kenya has 12 nominated MPs who are actively “serving” Kenyans even after the latter rejected them at the ballot. Very unfair, isn’t it? The nominated MPs serve special interests in the country. For example Mr. Sankok was nominated to represent People With Disabilities (PWP).
Similarly, if Deputy president William Ruto wins the August 2022 election, he could as well nominate Cate Waruguru to become a nominated MP to represent special interest groups. Most preferably, marginalized women as she has background as a Women Representative in Laikipia.
Waruguru, in an interview with KTN News on Friday, reaffirmed her commitment to UDA and the DP William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
“The most important thing is that I be one of the members of the 13th Parliament. And, I want to assure you that I’ll be sworn into office as a Member of Parliament after the August 9 General Election,” the Laikipia Women Rep said.
It looks like Cate Waruguru approached William Ruto and the two made an arrangement such that the former will hit the campaign trail to drum up support for the latter with hopes that if Mr. Ruto emerges successful in the August election, he will nominate Ms Waruguru as an MP.
Waruguru said that her focus is now on supporting the deputy president in his quest to become Kenya’s fifth president in the upcoming presidential election.
“I’m now in Ruto’s presidential campaign team and will concentrate on campaigning for him as he seeks to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.”
How Much Do Nominated MPs Make in Kenya?
Most media houses speculate how much a Member of Parliament makes. One can see huge figures in millions of shillings being reported as the salaries of MPs. But according to the official website of the National Assembly www.parliament.go.ke , an MP makes Ksh 532,500 monthly. This amount is also taxable. This is the amount of money Cate Waruguru will make if she is nominated by Deputy President William Ruto in the forthcoming general election.
Half a million shillings a month will explain why Bahati did not want to relinquish his nomination to run for the MP in Mathare Constituency. It is an easy money considering what the Kenyan MPs really do. With some like Kapseret MP, Oscar Sudi becoming back-benchers by choice and never contributing at all in the house.
