By-elections to gauge aspirants’ popularity

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Prime minister Raila Odinga, left, is introduced to Kangema parliamentary candidate on a Mkenya solidarity movement John Gathogo Githaiga by the party leader Maina Njenga, centre, at Kangema town on September 13, 2012 where he drummed up support for the candidate ahead of Monday by-election. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI 

By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@nationmedia.com and LUCAS BARASA lbarasa@nationmedia.com
Posted  Friday, September 14  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• Leading State House hopefuls throw their energy into last-minute campaigns for their parties’ candidates
• The big six presidential aspirants face a litmus test on Monday when voters in three constituencies and a dozen wards go to the ballot. The outcome will be a referendum on their strength at home ahead of next year’s polls

Campaigns for next Monday’s by-elections in three constituencies and a number of wards across the country are set to end on a high tempo on Saturday with leading presidential aspirants hoping to use the results as a measure of their popularity ahead of 2013.

The major political parties identified with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi and Eldoret North MP William Ruto have each fielded candidates in the parliamentary by-elections in Ndhiwa, Kajiado North and Kangema.

On Saturday, the presidential aspirants are expected to join their respective parties’ candidates on the campaign trail to make the final pitch to voters, underlining the seriousness with which they are taking what has been dubbed the “mini-election” by the local media.

Stiff challenge

Mr Odinga will be in Ndhiwa constituency to campaign for ODM candidate Augustino Neto, who is facing a stiff challenge from Kanu’s Tom Alila.

On Friday, Mr Odinga traversed Kajiado North constituency drumming up support for the party’s candidate, Mr Peter Mositet.

Mr Musyoka, who was also in Kajiado North,  will continue his whistle-stop campaign for his Wiper Democratic Movement’s candidate, Mr Solomon Kinyanjui, on Saturday.

Kenya National Congress’s presumptive presidential candidate, Mr Peter Kenneth, also sought support for the party’s candidate in Kajiado North, Mr Peter Munene. Mr Kenneth returns to the constituency on Saturday.

On Friday, Mr Kenyatta’s TNA party came out fighting amid claims that it was losing popularity in Kangema as the by-election nears.

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The party sought to allay fears that its candidate, Mr Tirus Ngahu, had fallen out with several civic leaders in the area, saying that the differences had since been ironed out.

Nairobi Metropolitan minister Jamleck Kamau and his Special Programmes counterpart Naomi Shaaban told a press conference shortly before embarking on a door-to-door campaign in Kangema on Friday that councillors in the constituency were fully behind the TNA candidate.

“Contrary to what some people have been claiming that our party has lost popularity, let me state that we are even stronger and we have done extensive campaigns,” said Mr Kamau, also the Kigumo MP.

Mr Kamau, the party’s point man in Murang’a county, asked the Kangema voters to elect Mr Ngahu, saying victory would enhance the fortunes of the TNA leader, Mr Kenyatta.

He said the party was aiming at a landslide victory, adding that Mr Kenyatta would camp in Kangema on Saturday and address the “mother of all rallies” in the area as part of TNA’s final onslaught for the seat. (READ: Hunt for Kangema votes reaches fever pitch)

An itinerary released by Mr Kenyatta’s secretariat indicated his Kangema tour will start at  the St Mary’s junction before snaking its way through  Nyakahura, Kiamara, Thirikwa, Gacharaigu, Mukarara and Kibango.
He will later address a public rally at General Kago Stadium.

The UDF candidate in Kangema, Mr Simon Kamau, was also on the campaign trail on Friday, holding roadshows in the company of MPs Ndiritu Muriithi of Laikipia West and Jeremiah Kioni of Ndaragwa.

Mr Kamau hit out at Mr Kenyatta and accused him of attempting to impose leadership in Kangema.

Mkenya Solidarity Movement, Mzalendo Saba Saba, Party of National Unity and Saba Saba Asili also  campaigned for their candidates in Kangema on Friday.

Mr Odinga was initially scheduled to tour Kakamega County to campaign for the ODM candidate for the Bukura civic seat, Mr Reuben Nyangweso, but cancelled the event to go to Ndhiwa.

Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale led the campaigns for the UDF candidate, Mr Walter Andati, at Mwiyenga on Friday.

The outcome of the by-election in the ward is thought to be particularly significant for Mr Mudavadi, the UDF presidential aspirant, whose party has been engaged in a battle of supremacy in western Kenya with Mr Odinga’s ODM.

For his part, Mr Kenneth is scheduled to attend Ndakaini marathon in Murang’a before heading to Magadi Soda in Kajiado North through Oldonyo and later address a meeting in Kiserian to drum up support for Mr Munene.

Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua was on a meet-the-people tour of Kigumo, Kandara and Kangare in Murang’a ahead of her Coast visit on Saturday.

Ms Karua is expected in Malindi and Tana River where she will visit camps for people displaced by recent clashes in the region.

The Kanu campaign  led by Mr Gideon Moi and Mr Nick Salat has also pitched tent in Ndhiwa and Kajiado North in recent days to try to woo voters to elect the party candidates.

URP presidential aspirant William Ruto, meanwhile, took his campaigns to West Pokot on Friday where he opened a milk processing plant.

Today, Mr Ruto, also the Eldoret North MP, will be in Teso and Busia before heading to Migori on Sunday.

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Mr Ruto is expected to start off his Migori campaign in Kuria on Sunday before proceeding to Isebania on Monday.

New Ford Kenya presidential aspirant Eugene Wamalwa will concentrate his campaign activities in his western Kenya backyard. On Saturday, Mr Wamalwa, the Justice minister, will seek to market his party and presidential bid in Kimilili, Kabuchai, Kanduyi and Bumula accompanied by former permanent secretary Kenenth Lusaka, who is eyeing the Bungoma governor’s seat.

On Sunday, Mr Wamalwa will take his campaign to Mt Elgon and Sirisia constituencies before winding up his tour in Webuye, Tongareni and Bokoli on Monday.

Water minister Charity Ngilu, who recently announced her entry into the presidential race on the Narc ticket, will be in her Kitui Central backyard to campaign for the party’s candidate for the Matinyani/Mutulu/Kalimani civic seat ahead of Monday’s by-election. (READ: Parties scramble for by-election pie)

Additional reports by Lucas Barasa and Samuel Karanja