Wiper nominates Mutula Jnr to contest Makueni poll

Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (left) and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua (right) in this file photo. The Wiper Democratic Movement has nominated Mutula Kilonzo Jnr as its candidate for the Makueni Senate by election July 19, 2013. 

By NATION Reporter
Posted  Friday, July 19  2013 at  16:55

The Wiper Democratic Movement has nominated Mutula Kilonzo Jnr as its candidate for the Makueni Senate by election. 
Mr Kilonzo accepted the nomination.

"I am ready for the challenge," he said during a news conference to announce his candidature at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi Friday.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the party would now camp in Makueni County to ensure it retains the seat left vacant by the death of Mutula Kilonzo in April.

"We have exactly one week to the by election. We are not going to leave Makueni until we capture the seat," said Mr Musyoka.

The mini poll is slated for July 26.

Wiper took advantage of a reprieve handed to the party by the court, which ruled that it could field another candidate after Kethi Kilonzo was locked out of the race.

Earlier on Friday, the High Court upheld the electoral commission's decision to block Ms Kilonzo from contesting the by election on grounds that she is not a registered voter.

However, the court allowed Wiper to nominate another candidate.

"The Wiper Party has a right to nominate another candidate to contest the senatorial elections in Makueni County," the three-judge bench ruled Friday.

The party has until 8am Saturday to present Mr Kilonzo Jnr to the Makueni County Returning Officer in Wote Town.