Former MPs to fight it out for party tickets

PNU has ruled out direct nominations for former MPs who lost their seats in poll petitions.

A party official said on Sunday that Mr Dick Wathika (Makadara) and Mr George Thuo (Juja) would have to go through the nomination process as the party seeks to abide by the Political Parties Act.

“The PNU coalition’s policy stipulates free and fair nominations. We can’t pass a new Constitution and start breaking the law,” said Mr Moses Kuria.

According to Mr Kuria, PNU nominations would be held within the next two weeks. The elections are scheduled for September 20.

Elsewhere, ODM Kenya has said it will not field any candidates in the two constituencies. Instead, it will support candidates nominated by PNU.

This was disclosed by acting PNU Chief Whip Johnstone Muthama, who said the move was meant to strengthen unity among the affiliate parties ahead of the 2012 General Election.

Speaking during a funds drive in aid of the ACK Memorial Church in Thika, Mr Muthama, who is the Kangundo MP, told voters in the two constituencies to re-elect the PNU MPs to prove that President Kibaki won the 2007 General Election.

Meanwhile, the chairman of ODM’s elections board, Dr Joseph Misoi, on Sunday told the Nation that the party has already began discussions on the nomination dates in the two areas.

“The board is making the necessary arrangements because we must field candidates in both places,” he said.

Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo has already began door-to-door campaigns and at the weekend, he toured Mukuru slums in Industrial Area. He will be seeking the ODM ticket.

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission is yet to announce by-election dates for the Wajir South and Starehe constituencies.

The Starehe seat fell vacant when Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s election was nullified in another petition filed by former MP Maina Kamanda.

The election of former Wajir South MP Ali Hassan Abdirahman was also thrown out by the High Court.