By BERNARD NAMUNANE bnamunane@ke.nationmedia.com ( email the author)
Posted Monday, February 18 2013 at 19:44
Posted Monday, February 18 2013 at 19:44
In Summary
- Coalitions which failed to pick joint candidates in strongholds face new challenge as titans renew unresolved party rivalries
The three main coalitions are set for major battles among their member parties after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission released a list of candidates it has cleared to contest for seats in the March 4 elections.
With 13 days to the polls, the list revealed that the Jubilee Coalition, the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) and the Amani Coalition will witness bruising battles by candidates from their member parties for the elective seats, mainly those seeking the posts of governor, senator and member of Parliament.
The coalitions failed to conduct joint nominations as stated in their agreements — except for presidential flag bearers — paving the way for each party to field candidates.
As a result, this has pushed the number of candidates seeking the six elective posts to 12,000.
Aware that the intense battles within their coalitions could cost them the majority they require in the National Assembly, the Senate and in counties, presidential candidates Uhuru Kenyatta (Jubilee) and Raila Odinga (Cord) are now spearheading a “six piece suit” campaign, urging their supporters to only elect candidates on the TNA and ODM tickets in their respective strongholds.
The counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Machakos, Nyeri, Kisii, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Nyeri, Narok, Busia, Laikipia, Makueni, Kiambu and Murang’a are some of the areas where political contests for positions of governor and senator are expected to be fiercest, presenting voters with a tough choice to make.
In Nairobi, Dr Evans Kidero of ODM, Mr Mutinda Kavemba (Wiper Democratic Party) and Mr Philip Kisia (Federal Party of Kenya) are each fighting for the governor’s seat through their parties which are members of Cord. Initially, the coalition planned to hold joint nominations but this was opposed by member parties.
In the Jubilee Coalition, outgoing Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu has to contend with investment banker Jimnah Mbaru who defected to the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) after losing in the TNA primaries.
The same high octane battles in Cord are expected in Mombasa County where assistant minister Ali Hassan Joho (ODM) is facing the toughest challenge from businessman Suleiman Shahbal of Wiper for the governor’s position.
The war also extends to the senator’s seat where ODM’s Seif Ramadhan Kajembe and Hassan Omar Hassan of Wiper are taking on each other after the failed joint nominations. Mr Hassan moved to Wiper of Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka when it became clear that he will not get the orange party’s ticket.
Not very far away from Mombasa, the two parties have fielded strong candidates for the Taita-Taveta governor’s seat where former petroleum expert John Mruttu (ODM) is facing stiff competition from former Central Bank of Kenya deputy governor Jacinta Mwatela. Mrs Mwatela shifted to Wiper after losing to Mr Mruttu during the party nominations.
In Kakamega, the Amani coalition has set up a challenge between Housing minister Soita Shitanda (New Ford-K) and former Nyanza provincial commissioner Paul Olando (UDF). Mr Shitanda rejoined New Ford-K from UDF after the party locked him out of the primaries after questioning the validity of his degree certificate.
In neighbouring Bungoma County, Amani, whose presidential candidate is deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi will witness a tough contest between former ministers Mukhisa Kituyi (UDF) and Musikari Kombo (New Ford-K) for the senator’s seat.
In Busia, the battle for the senator’s seat is between former attorney-general Amos Wako (ODM) and outgoing Nambale MP Chris Okemo (Ford-K) both of Cord.
The two parties are also gearing up for an epic challenge for the governor’s seat in Trans Nzoia where Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa (ODM) is being challenged by former PS Patrick Khaemba (Ford-K).
In Kisii, Public Works minister Chris Obure (ODM) has to contend with former West Mugirango MP Omingo Magara (PDP) for the senator’s position. The two are in Cord.
In Nandi, ODM chairman Henry Kosgey is up against Gen (Rtd) Augustine Cheruiyot (FPK) in the race for the senate seat.
In Narok, former ambassador Julius Sunkuli (TNA) is taking on former assistant minister Stephen Ole Ntutu (URP) for the senator’s position. The two parties are in the Jubilee coalition.
In Wajir, outgoing Nominated MP Mohammed Affey of Wiper is competing against former MP Abdirahman Ali Hassan (ODM) for the senator’s position. The two parties are members of Cord.
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