Eldoret North MP William Ruto (left) and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa take to the podium during the burial ceremony of former chief Tirop Tilawen in Besiebor, Turbo on Sept 16, 2011. The two politicians have declared an interest in the presidential contest next year. Photo/JARED NYATAYA
By KITAVI MUTUA kitavimutua@gmail.com
Posted Friday, September 16 2011 at 22:30
Posted Friday, September 16 2011 at 22:30
Presidential aspirants must prepare to drop out of the race for parliamentary seats as the new election law takes effect.
The Elections Act passed by Parliament last month bars candidates for the presidency from seeking other elective offices in the same general election. (Read: Vested interests versus Parties Bill)
This effectively locks out Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and other politicians who have declared their interest in the presidency.
Bow out of race
“The law says that if you are running for the presidency you cannot run for another office whether MP or governor. You must be prepared to go home if you do not win the presidency,” Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo said Friday.
On Thursday, Mr Musyoka formally bowed out of the race for the Mwingi North parliamentary seat which he has held since 1985.
Speaking in the constituency, the VP said he would now concentrate his energies on the presidential campaign.
“I will no longer be a player in the local political league. I’ll now play in the super league and try to convince Kenyans that the country will be safe in my experienced hands,” Mr Musyoka stated.
Other MPs who have declared their presidential bids include Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti), Moses Wetang’ula (Sirisia), Martha Karua (Gichugu), Bifwoli Wakoli (Bumula) and Mutava Musyimi (Gachoka).
The law will bring to an end the political dominance of some of the presidential contenders who have held their parliamentary seats for as many as six terms.
Mr Musyoka is currently serving his sixth term while Mr Odinga and Ms Karua are on their fourth consecutive terms.
Mr Ruto is on his third term, Mr Wetang’ula, Wakoli and Kenneth on their second terms while Mr Wamalwa and Rev Musyimi are serving their first terms.
“By 2012, I’ll have done 28 uninterrupted years as your MP, it is logical and politically wise to give a chance to young blood to carry on the baton of representing this great constituency,” Mr Musyoka told his constituents.
The new law is set to test the influence and resolve of the presidential hopefuls in both the G7 alliance and Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement.
It means that whoever loses the ODM or G7 presidential nomination will have to remain in the political cold unless they are picked as running mates.
Political Parties may, however, decide to conduct their presidential primaries early enough in order to give losers a chance to contest in the nominations for other elective posts.
Mr Musyoka maintained that he would seek nomination to contest the top seat through the G7 alliance.
There have been fears within the alliance that some presidential contenders may opt to go it alone in the 2012 General Election if they lose out in the primaries.
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