Sunday, September 12, 2010

Aspirants step up hunt for votes



SAMMY KIMATU | Nation Supporters of Makadara parliamentary candidate Gideon Mbuvi campaign in Nairobi on Sunday. Ten candidates are battling it out for the seat. By ASHLEY LIME alime@ke.nationmedia.com and SAMMY KIMATU skimatu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, September 12 2010 at 22:00
In Summary

Starehe and Makadara seats fell vacant after courts nullified results of the 2007 elections over anomalies

Campaigns for the Starehe and Makadara by-elections intensified at the weekend, with the candidates reaching out to voters in slums.

In Makadara, candidates embarked on a house-to-house campaign with one week to the election day, September 20.

Mr Maina Kamanda, who is seeking the Starehe seat, on Sunday said that his victory was stolen in 2007 but he was set to reclaim the seat he lost to Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of ODM.

“We all know what happened in 2007. I won the elections but my counterpart knows what she did. I forgive her,” he said.

Mr Kamanda successfully filed a petition against Bishop Wanjiru’s election.

A recount of the ballots during the petition hearing revealed he had actually won with a wide margin.

In Makadara, ODM candidate Reuben Ndolo made door-to-door campaigns in Mukuru-Kingstone, Mukuru-Kaiyaba, Mukuru-Fuata Nyayo and Mukuru-Mariguini slums.

The candidate promised to develop Makadara constituency when he is elected.

Former MP Dick Wathika, who is flying the PNU flag, took his campaigns to Mukuru-Commercial slum.

He addressed more than 700 people who lost property worth thousands of shillings following an inferno on Friday night.

He also visited and worshipped at St Margaret’s Catholic Church in South B.Narc Kenya candidate Gideon Kioko Mbuvi was at Friends Centre Church, Maringo, Our Lady of Visitation, Makadara and St Stephen’s Church, Jogoo Road, where he appealed to worshippers for votes.

Other politicians in the race include Abok Odera, Lindy Wafula, Joshua Kitivi, Connie Kivuti, Oscar M. Igaida, Stella Mbai and Samuel Obiero.

The Makadara seat fell vacant after the court nullified the election of Mr Wathika.

Mr Ndolo had petitioned against him, citing irregularities during the last General Election.

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