History in Embu as Runyenjes voters set to have Akorino MP

Newly elected Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi Njiru 'Karemba' (Jubilee). He will be the first member of the Akorino sect to be elected to Parliament. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Akorino movement began in the 1920s among the Kikuyu who rejected Western religion and customs.

Residents of Runyenjes in Embu County will make history if the candidate leading in the Runyenjes parliamentary race is officially declared the winner.

Mr Eric Njiru, a member of the Akorino community, is ahead of his rivals with 56,546 votes (85 per cent).

The Jubilee Party candidate, fondly referred to as Karemba, is followed adrift by Mr John Njiru of Narc Kenya who has 4,635 votes.

Others are Mr Ndwiga Kamunyoti (DP, 2,717), Independent candidate Clement Njeru (1,597) and Ms Joyce Mukami (489 votes).

The Akorino movement began in the 1920s among the Kikuyu who rejected Western religion and customs.

MBARIRE

By the late 1920s the colonial government began to consider its members as subversive and accused them of collaborating with the Kikuyu Central Association (KCA), a group that favoured schools independent from the colonial administration.

The seat is currently held by Ms Cecily Mbarire who chose to contest the governorship position.

MBEERE NORTH

Elsewhere in the county, Mr Muriuki Njagagua is poised to retain his Mbeere North parliamentary seat.

With over 97 per cent of the 40,895 votes tallied, Mr Njagagua leads with 25,414 votes.

His closest challenger, Independent candidate Geoffrey Ruku, has 10,853 votes.

Also in the contest is Dr Patrisio Njiru (of Maendeleo Chap Chap, 3,022 votes)