Kariri Njama is running for the Kiambaa parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket. The seat fell vacant following the death of Paul Koinange in March 2021. Koinange had won the seat in 2017 on a Jubilee party ticket. Jubilee leaders met earlier in July and they all decided to put their weight behind Kariri Njama. Described as a compassionate, humble and honest person by those who know him, his supporters are anxiously waiting for him to be announced as the winner.
Six others are contesting for the seat and political analysts have surmised that the by-election is at the heart of the political supremacy battle between UDA led by deputy president William Ruto and Jubilee party led by president Uhuru Kenyatta. Most believe this election will be used as a yardstick to weigh in on the 2022 elections.
After weeks of heated campaigns in both Kiambaa and Maguga ward, the elections were finally held on Thursday 15th July 2021. Residents showed up in large numbers as voting began at the crack of dawn. Kariri Njama also showed up to cast his vote and expressed his joy at having done so.
“I did it, feels nice voting! Blessings of the rain too, Thank you Lord,” he said.
Career
Kariri Njama is an entrepreneur and a politician who describes himself as a servant leader.
The desire to lead his people made him vie for the Kiambaa parliamentary seat, not once but thrice. He lost the seat to Paul Koinange both in 2013 and 2017 general elections. On both occasions, he came in second.
This is the third time he is vying for the seat, this time flying under the Jubilee party ticket.
Philanthropy
Nicknamed the Chief, he has helped so many achieve their dreams through the Kariri Njama foundation. The Kariri Njama foundation has seen him launch various projects to empower the youth, women and the vulnerable in the community.
The foundation has helped in creating mental health awareness in the region and has also promoted education. One of the foundation beneficiaries was Robinson Wanjala who received high school sponsorship. Wanjala, who sat for his KCSE at Murang’a high school, was announced the top candidate nationally in the 2020 KCSE results. His impressive mean of 87.33 was attained through hard work but also through the help of the Kariri Njama foundation that saw him enjoy uninterrupted time in school since his fees was catered for. According to reports, the foundation has also sponsored over 300 needy students from cosmopolitan constituencies to various high schools across the country.
