Big names and not so big land tickets to vie

By Standard Team

KENYA: The electoral commission cleared big names to contest various seats on the final day of issuing nomination certificates ahead of the March 4 vote.

ODM Party Secretary General Prof Anyang Nyong’o received clearance from IEBC to run in the race for Kisumu County senatorial seat at Tom Mboya Labour College.

The Medical Services minister will face Party of Action (POA) senatorial candidate Achoro Ayoki and The National Alliance Party’s (TNA) Alice Omondi.

And Transport Minister Amos Kimunya claimed Cabinet colleague Kiraitu Murungi was behind the problems that had threatened to derail his bid to defend his Kipipiri parliament on a TNA ticket.

Kimunya said it was disrespectful for Kiraitu’s APK to give a nomination to his political rival Samuel Gichigi.

Gichigi lost in the TNA nominations and took the matter to the TNA tribunal and the High Court claiming the returning officers did not declare a winner. The case has since been dismissed and Kimunya is free to content.

Security tight

“I don’t know why people keep on associating me with State House. I have been a defender of President Kibaki and of Uhuru Kenyatta but they had nothing to do with this. I will be associated with State House even after Kibaki retires if Uhuru wins,” he said.

In the Othaya Kibaki succession battle, James Gichuki Mugambi was given the green light to vie for Othaya parliamentary seat on a Saba Saba Asili ticket after the High Court dismissed a suit on the nomination debacle.

Mugambi presented his papers to the IEBC at Othaya CDF Hall, where he was cleared and issued with a nomination certificate by returning officer, Mr James Mbai.

He lost the Othaya TNA nominations to businesswoman Mary Wambui, but termed  Friday a great day for Othaya people.

In Homabay, security was beefed up in during the presentation of certificates, as there were fears of chaos.

Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang who is eyeing the senatorial seat on an ODM ticket presented his nomination papers.

His challenger businessman Hillary Alila was cleared to run for the same seat on a PDP ticket.

In Kilifi, Fisheries Minister Mr Amason Kingi of ODM, former Ganze MP Francis Baya of URP, Professor Gabriel Katana of Kadu Asili, Michael Tinga of TNA, Geoffrey Katsole of Shirikisho and John Safari Mumba of PICK were cleared to run for the gubernatorial seat.