Industrialisation CAS Lawrence Karanja joins race for Nakuru senate seat
Industrialisation Cabinet Administrative Secretary Lawrence Macharia Karanja speaks at the Rift Valley Sports Club in Nakuru on January 7, 2022 when he announced his bid for Nakuru senate seat.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Rift Valley branch has endorsed Industrialisation Cabinet Administrative Secretary Lawrence Macharia Karanja to run for the Nakuru senate seat in the August 9 General Election.
The LSK officials led by Chairperson Ochang Ajigo said Mr Karanja has what it takes to propel Nakuru County to the next level of development.
“Mr Karanja is our preferred candidate and as LSK Rift Valley branch we shall support him,” said Mr Ajigo as Mr Karanja launched his bid at the Rift Valley Sports Club on Friday.
"We have looked around from the aspirants who have so far come forward to seek the top seat and it is only Lawrence Macharia Karanja who can take this county forward as he has proved that as Industrialisation Cabinet Administrative Secretary," said Mr Gordon Ogolla.
Mr Ogolla, who unsuccessfully vied for the Migori senate seat, said he learned valuable lessons that he could share with Mr Karanja to enable him win.
“I vied for the Migori Senate seat and failed but the failure was not in vain as I learnt valuable lessons, I'm ready to give technical support and campaign for Mr Karanja," said Mr Ogolla.
Senior Counsel Kamonjo Kaburi said Mr Karanja can propel Nakuru County to new heights of development. Mr Cyprian Mugambi said he will mobilise the Meru community living in Nakuru County to support Mr Karanja's bid.
"We had a Meru candidate for the senate seat in Nakuru but he has stepped down in favour of Mr Karanja because we felt Mr Karanja will push hard the agenda of Nakuru County at the senate and I urge Nakuru residents to elect him," said Mr Mugambi.
Mr Charles Lang'at said: "Nakuru County will be safe if we have a workaholic senator like Mr Karanja," said Mr Lang'at. Lawyer Elizabeth Ochieng said Mr Karanja has been bold during his tenure as LSK Rift Valley branch and deserves the senate seat.
Former LSK Rift Valley branch chairperson Bernard Ng'etich Kipkoech said with the elevation of Nakuru town as a city, Mr Karanja was the best-placed candidate to improve the lives of Nakuru residents if he is elected to the senate.
"The county requires a good lawyer to monitor how the public funds are used by the devolved unit," said Mr Kipkoech.
Mr Karanja thanked the lawyers for supporting his bid and vowed to fight for the county to get more revenue from the National Treasury.
"Nakuru County has continued to get a raw deal in revenue sharing. Nakuru has the third largest population in Kenya and is the second highest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product and therefore it deserves more revenue," said Mr Karanja.
He said: "I have what it takes to push that agenda of more revenue allocation for Nakuru County."
He, however, did not name the party whose ticket he would be vying.
"I'm still consulting and listening to the people on the ground before I declare my preferred party," said Mr Karanja.
The seat has so far attracted eight other candidates including Keroche Breweries boss Tabitha Karanja, former Subukia MP Koigi Wamwere, Dr Joseph Mburu, Mr Mike Weche, Mr Davis Ruto, Mr Daniel Kimani, Mr Mwai Gachunga, Mr Andrew Yatich and Mr Crispus Wathimba
