Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Bigwigs hold their candidates by hand on last day of campaigns



By Vitalis Kimutai
It was a show of might for parliamentary candidates in Kamukunji by-election as the curtain for campaigns fell ahead of the poll Thursday.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta led Cabinet ministers and MPs in daylong campaigns across the constituency for PNU alliance candidate Hassan Abdi.
Kamukunji Narc-Kenya aspirant Brian Weke and Martha Karua on the campaign trail Tuesday.[PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA]
And there was an unexpected twist when Narc-Kenya MPs William Kabogo (Juja) and his Makadara counterpart Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko joined Kalonzo and Uhuru in the campaigns and endorsed the PNU candidate.
"We are here to show solidarity with Hassan and we are urging the people to vote for the PNU candidate. He is fit to be the next MP," Sonko said.
Kabogo said: "This is where the people are and we are not going to be left behind. Hassan tosha (Hassan is fit)."
Gichugu MP Martha Karua was campaigning for the party candidate Brian Weke, 20m away, when the two MPs crossed over in defiance at Eastleigh section three amid ululation from the crowd.
MEETINGS
ODM party candidate Ibrahim Ahmed alias Johnie held a series of meetings with women and youth groups from all the communities as Assistant Ministers Elizabeth Ongoro and Margaret Wanjiru led campaigns for the party in the constituency.
Kalonzo and Uhuru led Cabinet ministers George Saitoti, John Michuki, Beth Mugo, Ferdinand Waititu, Eugene Wamalwa, Bifwoli Wakoli, Jeremiah Kioni, Johnstone Muthama, Victor Munyaka, Mike Sonko, and William Kabogo among others in the PNU alliance campaigns.
"We are urging the people of Kamukunji to turn out in large numbers and vote for Hassan (PNU) in the Thursday poll.
"The large numbers we have seen in the campaign trail and the support you have pledged would be meaningless if you do not turn out to vote," Kalonzo said.
"President Kibaki has sent us here to campaign for Hassan whom he fully supports for the seat and we are urging you to ensure that the parliamentary seat is recaptured by PNU," he added.
The Vice-President said Hassan was the most qualified candidate for the seat as he was a well-educated person who had worked across the world for the United Nations and other international organisations and that he would use his wealth of experience to unite the people.
Uhuru claimed those opposing the PNU candidate were engaging in ‘empty political rhetoric’.
PEACEFUL
"I am urging voters from all the communities to back Hassan for the parliamentary seat on Thursday so that we can team up with him to bring meaningful development to the people in the area," he said.
Saitoti said PNU had chosen to conduct peaceful campaigns in the area and expressed optimism that the party’s candidate would triumph in the poll.
Wamalwa, Wakoli and Michuki called on women and youths in the area from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds to support Hassan in the by election.
Karua accused Cabinet ministers campaigning for ODM and PNU candidates of using State resources and engaging in voter bribery in the area.
"The ministers should be made to account for using State resources including motor vehicles fuelled with the tax payers’ money in the campaigns when they should be using their private cars," she said.
Karua said Weke, the Narc candidate, is a youthful child rights activist from the area who would bring the desired leadership change to the benefit of the people.
Johnie, while addressing women at Pumwani Social Hall, accused the police of harassing youths and small-scale traders in the area in the name of conducting security operations.
"Several youths have been arrested, others shot and killed or seriously injured in illegal security operations conducted at night in Kamukunji.
"We are demanding that the heinous acts by the police against innocent citizens be stopped," Johnie said.
EMPLOYMENT
The Government, he said, was to blame for failing to create employment opportunities for youths due to stringent measures and red tape put on the way for investors who want to invest in the country.
He said if elected, he would ensure that the National Housing Corporation lowers the rent for housing units in the area.
Johnie also called on members of the Muslim community to spare time during their Ramadhan to cast their votes so as to ensure a credible leader is picked as the area MP.
"I am asking my Muslim brothers to sacrifice a few hours to take part in the voting exercise," said Johnie.
On Monday, PM Raila traversed the constituency, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers - Mohamed Elmi, Fred Gumo, Joseph Nyagah, Margaret Wanjiru, Elizabeth Ongoro, campaining for Johnie.
Tuesday, Wanjiru and Ongoro urged traders in Muthurwa and Gikomba markets to vote for the ODM candidate.

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