Orange party scoops two House seats in Meru

By Francis Ngige                               

Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) bagged two parliamentary seats in Meru, a region perceived to be hostile to the party.

In the surprising feat, the party candidate Mpuri Aburi won the Tigania East parliamentary seat against Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) and The National Alliance (TNA).

Also romping home on the ODM ticket was Cyprian Kubai who won the newly created Igembe Central seat.

Kubai, who polled 16,963, defeated his closest challenger Jacob M’Ajoi, who had 11,994.

Mpuri, an ardent ODM supporter, will replace Assistant Minister Peter Munya who vied for the governorship of Meru County.

It was second time lucky for the ODM activist having been defeated by Munya in the 2007 polls. He was declared winner after polling 24,609 against Charles Mugambi’s 6,724.

PERSONALITY

An elated Mpuri thanked constituents for going for personality instead of political parties. “I thank the people of Tigania East for showing their trust in me. I promise not to disappoint them,” said Mpuri.

In the presidential vote, however, Jubilee alliance presidential candidate  and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta carried the day with 37,292 compared to his rival Prime Minister and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy’s Raila Odinga who got 4,797.

The Meru region appeared to go for diversity as the electorate also voted for a candidate of Asian Origin.

CONCEDED DEFEAT

Rahim Dawood beat Cyrus Muriuki to become Imenti North MP in a contest that pitted APK and TNA.

Dawood, a known philanthropist, polled 26,871 against Muriuki’s 23,952.

Former Central Imenti legislator Gitobu Imanyara was defeated by Energy Minister Kiraitu Muriungi in the senatorial race.

Imanyara conceded defeat and said he respected the will of the people.

Mithika Linturi of TNA retained the Igembe South seat while Igembe North went to Joseph M’Eruaki (TNA) who defeated Ntoitha M’Mithiaru.

Gideon Mwiti of APK is the new MP of Imenti Central.