Makongeni/Kaloleni ward councillor George Aladwa (ODM) is the new Nairobi Mayor. Photo/FILE
By CASPER WAITHAKA cwaithaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, August 12 2011 at 22:32
Posted Friday, August 12 2011 at 22:32
The battle for supremacy in Nairobi politics cost the Party of National Unity the mayoral post.
The duel is between Public Health Minister Beth Mugo and a former sports minister, Mr Maina Kamanda.
The acrimony is associated with the race for the county seats in 2012 where Mrs Mugo and Mr Kamanda want to be senators.
The clash saw the PNU candidate, Mr James Gakuya, being defeated. He garnered 39 votes against 57 for the winner, ODM’s George Aladwa. (Read: ODM's Aladwa elected Nairobi Mayor)
It has emerged that five PNU councillors voted for Mr Aladwa.
Mr Gakuya, an ally of Mrs Mugo, while conceding defeat, accused Mr Kamanda and former Makadara MP Dick Wathika for his woes.
He said the vicious battle between the two camps has cost the party the seat.
“They should sit down and put their house in order otherwise it’s a pity, PNU may not win a single seat come 2012,” he added.
On his part, Mr Kamanda denied interfering with the polls saying: “I am not a councillor. I see it as a protest vote from disgruntled PNU councillors.”
Sidelined in campaigns
He said that they had been sidelined in the campaigns on the basis that they lost in the by-elections.
“In politics, until a politician dies, you cannot dismiss their prowess,” Mr Kamanda said.
The acrimony began during a prayer rally for the Ocampo Six at Uhuru Park where councillor Thomas Ng’ang’a, a close ally of Mrs Mugo, was the master of ceremonies.
At the emotive rally, Mr Ng’ang’a did not give the two former lawmakers a chance to address the crowd.
“It is high time they understand that the tide has changed and that Nairobi has new leaders,” Mr Ng’ang’a told the Nation in an earlier interview.
The camps have formed teams for the two influential posts, with the Mr Kamanda said to be eyeing the senator’s post. In his team will be Mr Wathika for the governor’s post.
In the other camp, Mrs Mugo is said to be eyeing the senator’s post while Water assistant minister Ferdinard Waititu seeks to contest the governor’s post.
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