I’m called ‘doctor’ because I got the degree: Wanjiru

By PETER OBUYA potieno@ke.nationmedia.com ( email the author)

Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru on Saturday dismissed reports questioning her education as “propaganda” being spread by her rivals in the race for Nairobi governor’s seat.

The reports in the social media claimed that Dr Wanjiru’s academic credentials were fake and that she will not be eligible to stand for election as governor because she does not have a degree qualification as required by law.

But, speaking while on a campaign tour of Nairobi’s Dandora area, Bishop Wanjiru dismissed the allegation as mere “propaganda” by her rivals to “cause panic” among her supporters.

“How can it be that one is called a doctor without a degree? This is propaganda being spread by my rivals but I am not bothered because it simply means they feel I am their biggest threat,” she said.

Those jokers

“Whoever is saying Dr Wanjiru does not have a degree must be joking. They are people who are panicking because they feel mama has taken over the city.”

The law requires that a person contesting a gubernatorial seat must have at least a degree qualification to be eligible for elections.

Bishop Wanjiru, who is also an Housing assistant minister, is the only woman so far seeking to become Nairobi’s first governor in a race that has also attracted former Mumias Sugar managing director Evans Kidero and Mr Philip Kisia, the former Nairobi town clerk. The three will have to battle it out in the nominations for the ODM ticket.

Other aspirants, Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, businessman Jimnah Mbaru, former town clerk John Gakuo and NCBDA chairman Timothy Kariuki, hope to vie on The National Alliance (TNA) ticket.

Bishop Wanjiru urged her supporters to ignore such propaganda and instead focus on winning the ODM ticket in the nominations scheduled for January 17.

“I know how I will deal with them (rivals). All I am requesting you to do for now is to come out in large numbers on the 17th and nominate me as your ODM candidate for Nairobi governor’s seat,” she told the crowd.

The Starehe MP promised to start a waste management project to deal with waste that continues to be a big challenge for the residents.

“I want to begin from where City Hall has failed and I will strive to build better markets and renovate the existing ones to help our traders,” she said.