VP’s party performs dismally in Machakos

By ERASTUS MULWA

MACHAKOS, KENYA: Election results for parliamentary seats in Machakos County have revealed a poor showing for Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) even as the party scooped top county seats.

Out of the county’s eight constituencies, only three Wiper party aspirants managed to clinch parliamentary seats. Five other constituencies were taken up by smaller parties.

In Kangundo, Kyengo Katatha of The Independent Party is the MP-elect after garnering 10,978 votes against his closest opponent, Wiper’s Titus Nzeki who got 5,087 votes. 

Katatha is a former chairman of local matatu Sacco, KAM, based in Tala and Kangundo. Vincent Musyoka of Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) beat immediate former MP Pastor Daniel Muoki (Wiper) to represent Mwala Constituency in the National Assembly. Musyoka won with 23,036 against Muoki’s 11,738. 

However, former Masinga legislator Itwiku Mbai has retained his seat on a Ford-People ticket after defeating his fierce opponent, Joseph Mathuki (Wiper) with 12,998 against 7,955. Mbai had initially lost to Mathuki during Wiper nominations before decamping to Ford-People.

Same fate

The same fate also applies to former Machakos MP Dr Victor Munyaka, who has recaptured his seat on a CCU ticket after beating Knut national treasurer Albanus Mutisya of Wiper with 35,663 votes against Mutisya’s 25,905. And like Mbai, Munyaka had lost in Wiper primaries against Mutisya before joining CCU.  And in an interesting twist of events, Yatta voters sent home their former MP Charles Kilonzo (Wiper) and instead elected a political newcomer, Francis Mwangangi (Muungano). Mwangangi decamped from Wiper after allegedly being compelled to step down for Kilonzo during nomination.