The recent sentiments by former Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui has left Nakuru residents guessing on his next political move.

After losing in the August 2022 General Election, Mr Kinyanjui seemed to stay clear of local politics, contrary to the common characteristics of most Kenyan politicians, and chose to make occasional commentaries on national matters.

In the aftermath of the loss, Mr Kinyanjui, vying on a Jubilee Party ticket, who trailed at a distant far, Ms Susan Kihika of the eventual ruling party United Democratic Alliance party had threatened to contest the outcome at the court of law after complaining of vote rigging.

However, he went quiet with the threats which was the last time he publicly expressed his political move.

Kinyanjui also restricted himself from making public appearances and only attended specific burial events that he could not miss. Even then, the former governor restrained himself from making any political statements.

Former Governor Lee Kinyanjui and former Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui during Mr Chelaite's burial in Nakuru.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Mr Kinyanjui, who is also a fan of social media, has been sharing posts mostly coined in a figurative language addressing issues happening on the national front.

However, things took a different trajectory over the weekend, when Mr Kinyanjui chose to make a comment that directly provoked governor Kihika who had also attended a burial event.

When he was invited to speak by Ms Kihika, Mr Kinyanjui went straight to mentioning the development projects which he initiated but are yet to be concluded, this include the Keringet high altitude stadium and the Afraha stadium.

“When I was a Governor, I initiated projects that are very close to my heart. When I came I visited the stadium and one of my wishes when I come back here is to find the stadium complete,” said Mr Kinyanjui amid applause and cheering from the crowd.

He was however quick to point out that his comments were not political, even though they got a political interpretation.

He went further to reflect on his loss in the August 2022 elections which he attributed to his association with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance party leader Rila Odinga, who was president William Ruto’s main challenger.

Mr Kinyanjui however went to defend his decision by indicating that the same person has been welcomed to the government and embraced by the President, a move he said had vindicated him.

He also intimated his hope that the residents will now have a different perception about him when the time comes for the election.

“When I came here during the last election, my biggest mistake was to associate myself with a candidate that you did not prefer, but recently I have seen you have welcomed the same person. Do you now have a problem with me?” said Mr Kinyanjui.

His sentiments attracted a rejoinder from governor Kihika who faulted Mr Kinyanjui for initiating numerous projects without completing them.

She indicated that she has been forced to complete the projects in her regime which she says is a bit expensive”.

“My friend Mr Kinyanjui, if you had completed that stadium, we would not be having the problem but you left me at least 10 hospitals which were not complete and equipped. That is why we have decided not to build more without equipping,” she said while requesting to be allowed a second term in order to complete her own projects.

Reacting to the sentiments however, one resident by the name Waicithio argued that performance by the leaders is what should determine whether or not they will be voted for a second term.

Engineer Victor Ngatia on his part notes that development should not be tied to terms, but rather its timely actualization.

Lee Kinyanjui reacts to his CS nomination by President Ruto

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Leleti Jassor