Businesswoman Agnes Kagure’s role in empowering women and children has won the hearts of Kikuyu Council of Elders who endorsed her for the Nairobi gubernatorial race.
On Friday January 7 Kagure launched her bid at Kasarani indoor arena in a well-attended ceremony that saw the council of elders send their representative to the colorful ceremony as a sign of their trust and believe of her potential to turn around the city’s lost glory in the East Africa, Africa and beyond.
The business mogul is hoping to become Nairobi’s first elected female and fourth Governor in a race that has seen opinion pollsters place her ahead of other competitors.
Her entry in Nairobi politics according to political commentators cannot be underrated since she has been a brand name through her empowerment programs which came in hands immediately after the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic where she came into the aid of poor families across the city.
The elders led by Wachira Kiago who graced the occasion urged Kagure to maintain respect while seeking votes and to refrain from abusing her competitors. And as a sign of their commitment for Kagure’s maiden bid Kiago gave her blessings as she embarks on the journey to victory by donating Shs 2 million towards her campaign.
In his passionate appeal to Nairobians, Kiago called on city residents to inject fresh blood in Nairobi politics which he said could calm the history of emotive politics at City Hall.
“Agnes I call upon you that when you win the elections please work for the people of Nairobi. Look out for women, the less fortunate and support them,” Kiago said.
He said on behalf of the council, having monitored Kagure’s track record and her past philanthropic initiatives in various parts of the city, they have confidence in leadership skills that will transform the city.
As a business philanthropist and empowerment enthusiast Agnes Kagure Kariuki has in the past received accolades from the council for her empowerment programs which analysts say have transformed many lives in the city’s informal settlements and middle-class estates.
It is such initiatives that saw the council shower her with blessings as early as October 2018 after she accepted the rare high-profile invitation from the group when the elders blessed the site of the proposed headquarters of the Kikuyu Council of Elders Association at Ruaka, next to Two Rivers complex, off the Northern By-Pass.
During the well-attended ceremony that brought together the Kikuyu elite, professionals and interest groups from the community, Mrs Kagure’s role in empowering women and children was hailed as an important milestone in achieving parity in development and stimulating greater economic and social prosperity for all.
The Association’s Chairman, Mr Wachira Kiago, and the management team including James Nene, Eng. David Muthoga and Rev. Muga acknowledged the immense support that Mrs. Kagure has accorded to the Kikuyu Council of Elders, despite being based in Nairobi and urged many to emulate her style of leadership that is known more for actions than talks, as is very common.
The Kikuyu Council of Elders has played an important role over the years in shaping the region’s choice of political leaders and their public identification.
“My single most important duty currently is to expand my empowerment drives so that every child, youth and woman is directly reached and that’s our call as leaders,” she said.
While announcing her candidature, Kagure unveiled a raft of measures that she said will transform Nairobi if elected.
Top on her agenda is to reorganize the public transport sector to ease the movement of people.
“As a county we have what it takes to transform our fortunes and turn our city into a haven of greater hope and shared prosperity. I will work with all stakeholders to de-congest the city and bid farewell to traffic jams for good,” Kagure told his supporters drawn from 85 wards of Nairobi.
