Kamanda, Ndolo cleared for city by-elections

Starehe Constituency PNU parliamentary seat aspirant Maina Kamanda addresses his supporters at City Primary School in Nairobi after presenting his nomination papers to Starehe Constituency Elections Coordinator Peter Muigai on August 26, 2010. Photo: SULEIMAN MBATIAH

By LUCAS BARASA and LISA WEIGHTON
Posted Thursday, August 26 2010 at 13:48

Two top PNU and ODM politicians were Thursday cleared to try and reclaim the parliamentary seats they lost during the 2007 elections in what promises to be a major battle.

In a show of might, former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda (PNU) and Reuben Ndolo (Makadara) marshalled hundreds of their supporters who accompanied them during presentation of nomination papers to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

Mr Kamanda, who is PNU organising secretary and a former Sports minister was the first to be given green light to vie for Starehe seat at City Primary School while Mr Ndolo, who is ODM’s deputy organising secretary, was certified at Railway Training Institute.

Mr Kamanda is PNU’s pointman in Nairobi while Mr Ndolo is a trusted Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s foot soldier in Nairobi. The two played a key role in recent ‘Yes’ campaigns in the city.

Starehe Returning Officer Peter Muigai said seven candidates had been cleared by 11 am Thursday to battle it out for the seat left vacant following the nullification of Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s election.

They include Bishop Wanjiru who will try and reclaim the seat on an ODM ticket, Mr John Kagimbi (Safina), Jackson Mwangi (Narc-Kenya), Stephen Nyagah (Peoples Patriotic Party), John Opoth (Social Democratic Party), David Ngang’a (National Patriotic Party) and Mr Kamanda.

Mr Muigai said he was also expecting presentations from Mr Eddie Mwangi of National Agenda Party, Nickson Kavai (Federal Party), Jimnah Mbaru (DP) and Boniface Kivuitu of Labour Party of Kenya.

The official added that campaigns for the seat are to start on August 30 and end on September 18.

In Makadara, Returning Officer Florence Kwamboka Mogaka said seven candidates had been given the nod to contest for the seat by mid-day.

They include Mr Ndolo, former assistant minister Dick Wathika (PNU), Ms Lindy Ajiambo Wafula (Nuru), Joshua Kitivi (ODM-K), Stella Mbai (Ford-People) and Consolata Wairimu Kivuti (UDM).

Ms Mogaka said three other candidates-Abok Odera Juliani (SDP), Samuel Obiero (New Democrats) and Mr Oscar Igaida who was yet to declare his party were also expected.

The fate of gender activist Pollyne Anyango Owoko who had indicated she would vie as independent candidates as the new constitution would have come into was unknown as she was yet to pick her papers by mid-day.

Candidates had until Thursday to present their nomination papers to the IIEC ahead of the September 20 polls.

Addressing a huge crowd of supporters, Mr Kamanda exuded confidence of winning the Starehe seat after about three years of court battle and waiting.

“I won the 2007 elections but my votes were stolen. You be vigilant so that the polls are not stolen for second time. I am sure this time round the votes will surpass the ones Yes got in Starehe during the referendum,” Mr Kamanda who was accompanied by Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua, said.

Mr Kamanda said he wants to unite the residents and complete projects he had initiated before 2007 polls.

In Makadara, Mr Ndolo also said he had won the seat in 2007 but his victory was stolen.

The former pugilist expressed confidence of winning since “our party ODM is like Harambee stars which brings together all Kenyans.”

He said he was given direct nomination although he was ready for primaries because ODM trusts him.

Accompanied by his main rival during 2007 ODM nominations Mr Dan Shikanda in a show of solidarity, Mr Ndolo told his opponents to prepare for tough fight.

Mr Ndolo successful filed a petition against Mr Wathika’s election over irregularities