Kangema by-election will define TNA destiny, says Uhuru

By Francis Ngige and Boniface Gikandi

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has said the outcome of the Kangema by-election would define central Kenya politics.

Campaigning for The National Alliance (TNA) candidate Tiras Ngahu, the DPM said once the party bags the seat, it would be easy for the region to move in one political direction.

Uhuru accused Party of National Unity (PNU) of using unorthodox means to win the seat, which fell left vacant after the death of former Environment Minister John Michuki. “I hear some PNU officials are saying that their candidate should be elected because it is the governing party. I’m in TNA and a deputy prime minister. So, am I not in Government?” posed Uhuru.

PNU is fronting Paul Mugo, who had a shot at the seat during the 2007 polls and emerged second.

Other candidates in the race include Muturi Kigano (Saba Saba Asili), Njuguna Mwangi (Mzalendo Saba Saba), Simon Mwangi (United Democratic Forum), and John Gathogo of Mkenya Solidarity.On Friday, Assistant Minister Ferdinand Waititu accompanied the DPM. However, conspicuously absent during the daylong campaign were Murang’a County MPs.

Major undoing

“We should use Kangema by-election to show people that we have all decided to join TNA. The multiplicity of parties in the region has been our major undoing,” said Uhuru. The DPM held a series of roadside rallies in the constituency before addressing a major meeting at General Kago Stadium.  “In the last election, we were scattered in very many parties. This was used to push the agenda that elections were stolen. If we are not careful, we would fall in the same trap,” Uhuru said. Uhuru has been advocating for the region to be in one party, but critics have argued that by launching TNA long after others, he was being divisive. Uhuru noted the by-election is a litmus test for TNA, which he described as a national outfit “with a room for everyone”.