Watch out in 2012, Narc Kenya warns

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 21 - Narc Kenya Chairperson Martha Karua is delighted after her party's victory in the Juja and Makadara by-elections.

Speaking to Capital in the Morning show from Amsterdam, Ms Karua said the wins portrayed Narc Kenya as a party to contend with.

"The signs were there that we were likely to get the two seats and I want to congratulate Gidion Kioko Mbuvi alias Sonko of Makadara and William Kabogo of Juja. Both of them did extensive grassroots campaign. They worked very hard," she said.

"I also want to thank the voters for choosing the flower party."

Ms Karua described the upset by her party as an indication of what to expect in the next general election in 2012.

"The party is going to grow from strength to strength and it is the party to watch. We are getting ready, we want to grow in every part of the country and we are preparing to take over government in 2012," she said.

Ms Karua further downplayed sentiments that the Narc Kenya party contenders used their money and material possession to win the by-elections.

She described it as 'a case of sour grapes' saying that other candidates used a lot of resources to get supporters but still lost during the polls.

"In the two by-elections that have been conducted since the last general elections, the two parties in power have been laying a carpet of money. They were really desperate for the two seats since they could see the likelihood of Narc Kenya winning," she said.

"They used not just money, but government vehicles. The Prime Minister Raila Odinga campaigned in both Starehe and Makadara using official GK vehicles and so did many other government officials. We were even complaining that they were using the administration."

Ms Karua said the party has confirmed that it has a wide following.

"Let there be no double take because our candidates really connected with the people," she affirmed.

Mr Kabogo, who made a comeback as the Member of Parliament for Juja constituency, said that Narc Kenya was now the party to watch after it scooped the two seats in the concluded by-elections.

He said that this was an indication that the party enjoyed support from Kenyans having taken the Juja and Makadara seats.

Hundreds of Juja residents mainly youths braved the evening cold and waited patiently as the final results were announced.

And in Nairobi, it was all song and dance broke at the Railways Training Institute (RTI) on Tuesday morning, when Narc-Kenya's Michael Mbuvi was announced the new Makadara Member of Parliament.

Mr Mbuvi was declared the undisputed by-election winner after garnering 19,913 votes against Reuben Ndolo's 17,652. Former area MP Dick Wathika trailed behind with 11,088 votes.

The MP elect who seemed exhausted promised to remain true to his pledge of alleviating poverty in the area.

Meanwhile bonfires were lit outside the tallying center in his honour with supporters chanting songs of praise. They were however quick to remind him of the huge responsibility that lay ahead of him.

The flamboyant MP elect also thanked his supporters and Narc-Kenya for giving him a direct nomination: "I would first like to thank our Lord Almighty for giving me this chance and all who believed in me even as others turned me away."

Earlier on Monday, Mr Sonko had accused his competitors of buying voters and even asked the Interim Independent Electoral Commission to take appropriate action. His allegations were however rubbished by Mr Ndolo.