Battle for Kangema seat widens as TNA losers leave party

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By SAMUEL KARANJA samkache@gmail.com
Posted  Saturday, September 1  2012 at  20:26

IN SUMMARY

• At least two losers in the TNA primaries have broken ranks with the party and have secured direct nominations from other rival parties heightening competition in the coming September 17 by-election.
• Observers believe the defections could affect the outcome of the exercise and with the death of Mrs Michuki things may never be the same again.
• The DPM even met with the losers in Nairobi in an attempt to iron out matters and TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja toldSunday Nation that only two have shifted camp.

The Kangema succession politics have now taken a new twist following a fallout after The National Alliance Party nominations and the death of Mrs Josephine Watiri who was widow of the late minister John Michuki.

At least two losers in the TNA primaries have broken ranks with the party and have secured direct nominations from other rival parties heightening competition in the coming September 17 by-election.

Although the six contestants who were battling it out for the dove party had previously pledged to back the winner, none has so far done so after they claimed rigging and irregularities.

And TNA leader Uhuru Kenyatta now says the Kangema people have made their choice and he would not waver from that position.

“The journey to building TNA as a formidable party in Kangema and the entire country has begun. This is my message to the people of Kangema – Let us walk together,” Mr Kenyatta said in a statement relayed to the Sunday Nation by spokesman Munyori Buku.

The DPM even met with the losers in Nairobi in an attempt to iron out matters and TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja told Sunday Nation that only two have shifted camp.

“We have been trying to reach out to the losers assuring them that the exercise was well conducted and they have shown interest in backing the winner, only two have moved on but the door is still open for them,” said Mr Sakaja.

Observers believe the defections could affect the outcome of the exercise and with the death of Mrs Michuki things may never be the same again. (READ: Leaders pay tribute to Michuki widow)

Mr Tirus Ngahu emerged the winner with 4,820 votes while Mr Githiga Mwangi was second with 3,283 votes out of the 14,693 votes cast in the nomination.

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Mr Ngahu is said to have enjoyed support from the Michuki family.

Lawyer Muturi Kigano garnered 2,332 votes while Mr Simon Mwangi Kamau pulled a surprise and gathered 1,958 and was followed by Ms Ann Kirima with 1,714 votes.

Mr Macharia Gatitu and Mr Andrew Kamenju gathered 413 and 174 votes respectively in the hotly contested TNA primaries which also saw 900 votes spoilt in the August 15 exercise.
Immediately the results were announced, Ms Kirima, Mr Mwangi, Mr Kamau and Mr Muturi cried foul and alleged irregularities.

Mr Muturi has since secured direct nomination from Saba Saba Asili party although the party had said it would hand it to Mrs Kirima while Mr Kamau went for the United Democratic Forum (UDF) party ticket.

Mr Kamau said he jumped ship due to bias in TNA while Ms Kirima, while asked if she would back Mr Ngahu, said she was yet to make up her mind.

“At the moment I cannot say whether I would back anyone and I would rather Kangema people make their own choice,” she said.