SAITOTI IN MATUGA

Internal Security minister George Saitoti is in Matuga to shore up support for Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, PNU’s candidate in the July 12 by-election.

And the first port of call for the team was Kombani, the polling centre whose December 2007 election results were the cause of a court petition that led to Mr Mwakwere’s election being nullified.

Prof Saitoti, who is also the PNU chairman, landed at the Ukunda airstrip shortly after midday and proceeded for a closed-door meeting at a nearby beach hotel.

The group them proceeded to the rally ground at Kombani in a long convoy of cars, matatus and buses filled with chanting supporters all decked in PNU colours.

Speakers urged locals to vote for Mr Mwakwere to enable him complete his parliamentary term.

They also praised his development record, saying that he had worked tirelessly to improve the livelihoods of Matuga constituents.

Prof Saitoti said Matuga constituents cannot afford to lose Mr Mwakwere because of his development record.

He said President Kibaki had not appointed a full minister to head the Transport docket because he believes Mr Mwakwere will be re-elected.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Mwakwere declared that the battle for the parliamentary seat would be between him and Mr Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM.

This was the first campaign rally for Mr Mwakwere as he had all along been conducting door-to-door campaigns backed by village committees.

The visit by Prof Saitoti comes in the wake of high profile campaigns launched by Mwakwere’s main rival, Mr Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM.

The ODM team of five MPs led by the party’s organising secretary, Mr Hassan Joho, has been in the constituency since Tuesday.

On Thursday, Mr Mwanyoha embarked on door-to-door campaigns. The other candidates in the race are Mr Kassim Tandaza of UDM and LPK’s Isaac Mutula.