KALONZO, KENYATTA, SAITOTI, UHURU, RUTO VS RAILA

Daggers are drawn in the South Mugirango by-election with indications that former MP Omingo Magara’s fate at the ballot will be used to test the influence of a combined effort of key presidential hopefuls against Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Going by the utterances at a fundraiser to cover funeral expenses of Magara’s younger brother Titus, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Higher Education Minister William Ruto will all team up to root for Magara in the June 10 poll.

Even though Kalonzo, Ruto, Uhuru and Saitoti did not attend the function, their representatives, including Special Programmes Minister Naomi Shaban, gave indications where their efforts will be in the by-election.

While the four may be throwing their weight behind Magara, they will not openly address rallies in South Mugirango. The Political Parties Act bars members of any party from engaging in activities geared at promoting the interests of a rival party.

"We don’t have to show up in South Mugirango to show that we are campaigning for Magara. There are many ways we can support him," said Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny.

"Bear in mind that you have the support of many leaders, some who sent us here who all want you to win the seat," said Shaban, who represented Ruto and Saitoti. Uhuru sent his ally David Murathe, who said the Finance minister will be with Magara all the way.

Magara said: "Even though it might not be proper, let me go ahead to declare here that the VP is with me and he will be touring the constituency to give us a boost."

The funds drive turned into a political forum with two senior ODM ministers Anyang’ Nyong’o and James Orengo showing up. Nyong’o delivered the PM’s donation and a message that Titus was a strong supporter of the country’s second liberation. The duo heaped praise on Magara but expressed disappointment that he had defected too early.

Nyong’o, who is the ODM secretary general, faulted the former national treasurer for bolting out of the party to the little known Peoples’ Democratic Party.

"My brother Magara, you should have been patient a little bit. Patience pays," he said

But Shaban reassured Magara, who was listening pensively to Nyong’o’s advice that she would campaign for him.

"I have a lot of respect for Magara and I’m ready to stand by him by all means possible until he recaptures his seat," said Shaban.

But the PM’s team in Kisii, led by Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka, dismissed those scheming to lock out ODM and the PM out of the region as daydreamers.

"ODM and the PM remain strong in the region.

"There is nothing that has changed to make the Abagusii reject the party and its leader merely because some disgruntled fellow has defected," said Onyonka.