Sunday, July 24, 2011

Kalonzo tours Kisii to seek 2012 support

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Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka sets out on a three-day tour of the larger Kisii region on Sunday as a fierce battle for control of the perceived swing vote areas in the next General Election takes shape.. Photo/ANTHONY OMUYA/FILE  

Posted  Saturday, July 23  2011 at  21:21

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Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka sets out on a three-day tour of the larger Kisii region on Sunday as a fierce battle for control of the perceived swing vote areas in the next General Election takes shape.
Key presidential candidates hoping to succeed President Kibaki in next year’s elections have been making forays into Kisii, Meru, Western and Coast regions, marketing their parties’ objectives and wooing residents.
Analysts say the areas have become targets of the presidential hopefuls because they are thought to be “friendly,” are open for competition and currently lack “serious” candidates in the race for State House.
Promises of goodies
The areas have witnessed a flurry of activities in the recent past when political aspirants promised benefits in return for votes.
Among those who have criss-crossed the areas seeking support are Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mr Musyoka, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua.
At the same time the candidates have been working hard to consolidate support in their traditional strongholds as the elections near.
Mr Musyoka’s office said the ODM-Kenya leader’s working and campaign tour will take him to meetings in Kisii and Nyamira counties to bolster his presidential bid.
Already, Ms Karua, Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga have been to the two counties to campaign.
Mr Musyoka was expected to meet the Kisii region’s respected political kingpin Simeon Nyachae in Nairobi yesterday ahead of the visit. Although Mr Nyachae has stated that he has quit active politics, he still has huge influence in the region due to his long service in politics and civil service.
Elder statesman
Regarded as an elder statesman from the Kisii community, Mr Nyachae is among the most sought-after leaders by the presidential candidates for his blessings and support.
Mr Ruto also met Mr Nyachae during his recent campaign in Kisii when he announced that the Kisii, together with his Kalenjin community, had agreed to end their animosities.
There were reports that Mr Odinga and Mr Nyachae had also held talks, but the latter denied it.
Mr Musyoka’s press secretary Kaplich Barsito confirmed the VP was scheduled to meet Mr Nyachae last evening but could not give details.
The VP’s handlers view Kisii as a “friendly” region from which he could penetrate Nyanza which has been Mr Odinga’s key political backyard.
According to Mr Musyoka’s itinerary made available to the media, he will start his tour by holding a rally at Bomet Bus Park and Cheptilat market in Bomet county before presiding over a leaders’ and elders’ meeting at St Vincent Centre in Kisii.
Tomorrow, the VP will have breakfast with leaders and university students at Kisii University College before inspecting Kisii probation offices and commissioning the new prisons houses at the Kisii GK Prison.
On Tuesday he is scheduled to address roadside rallies in Borabu District. During the tour the VP is set to open ODM-K offices in the counties as the party gears up for the 2012 elections and raise funds for various institutions.
Political direction
MPs allied to Mr Musyoka said they intend to use the visit to “inform the electorate about the future political direction”.
Nyamira and Kisii counties are densely populated and consist of Nyaribari Chache, Nyaribari Masaba, Bonchari, Bobasi, Bomachoge, Kitutu Chache and South Migirango, West Mugirango, Kitutu Masaba, North Mugirango and Borabu constituencies.
Although ODM won a majority of seats in Kisii region in the last election, PNU coalition leaders have been working round the clock to reduce the party’s and Mr Odinga’s influence over local politics.

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