Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka (left) is received by his supporters
at Ol Kalou in Nyandarua on April 19, 2017. Jubilee aspirants are
prepared for the party nominations. PHOTO | JOHN GITHINJI
Two gubernatorial aspirants have quit Jubilee amid rigging
claims ahead of high-stakes party nominations in the Mt Kenya region
today.
Murang’a gubernatorial aspirant Moses Mwangi
and Isiolo Senator Mohamed Kuti said they had left the party over fears
of unfair nominations.
Votng is expected to start from 6am.
Mathira
parliamentary aspirant Rigathi Gachagua said he was confident the party
would live up to its promise of delivering transparent nominations.
“We do not want voting running into the night, counting and tallying of votes should be done quickly,” said Mr Gachagua.
RIGGING CLAIMS
The political battle is particularly intense in Murang’a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu and Meru counties where securing the party ticket almost guarantees one victory in the general election or consign one to political oblivion.
The political battle is particularly intense in Murang’a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu and Meru counties where securing the party ticket almost guarantees one victory in the general election or consign one to political oblivion.
Dr Mwangi defected from Jubilee barely hours to the nominations.
He cited a plot by his opponents — Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau — to rig the nominations.
“In
view of the prevailing circumstances where emerging information suggest
potential massive rigging… I hereby tender my resignation from being a
member and candidate for the Jubilee Party,” he said during a press
conference.
WAIGURU IN RACE
This means the Murang’a governor primaries will be a two-horse race between Mr Wa Iria and Mr Kamau, who are battling for the 550,000 registered voters in the region.
This means the Murang’a governor primaries will be a two-horse race between Mr Wa Iria and Mr Kamau, who are battling for the 550,000 registered voters in the region.
While Mr Wa Iria has the
advantage of incumbency, Mr Kamau has support from Murang’a South and
MPs such as Alice Wahome (Kandara).
In Isiolo on Thursday, Senator Kuti said he would announce his political future today.
In
Kirinyaga, former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru, Kirinyaga Central MP
Gachoki Gitari and incumbent Joseph Ndathi will be battling for Jubilee
ticket in the race for governor seat.
Former KRA deputy commissioner Eliud Wanjao will also be fighting for the ticket in the region with 350,000 registered voters.
TOUGH RACE
In Nyeri, it will be a contest between incumbent Samuel Wamathai, a former diplomat, and four other aspirants who will be seeking to make him the shortest-serving governor.
In Nyeri, it will be a contest between incumbent Samuel Wamathai, a former diplomat, and four other aspirants who will be seeking to make him the shortest-serving governor.
The four are Senator Mutahi
Kagwe, economist Wahome Gakuru, industrialists Githinji Cocoriko
Kinyanjui and hotelier Patrick Kairu.
In the senate
race, it will be the battle of billionaires involving contractors Dan
Wamahiu, Ephraim Maina and industrialist Wambugu Kanyi.
Fireworks
are expected in Tharaka-Nithi where former assistant minister Petkay
Miriti and Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki are locked in a tough
race.
NJUKI ACCUSED
Mr Njuki is said to be close to President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto while Mr Miriti’s United Patriotic Party of Kenya was one of those that folded to form Jubilee.
Mr Njuki is said to be close to President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto while Mr Miriti’s United Patriotic Party of Kenya was one of those that folded to form Jubilee.
On Wednesday night, a group of
Chuka Town residents stormed the constituency offices claiming that Mr
Njuki and his supporters were marking ballot papers.
The
residents also claimed Mr Njuki and Chuka Constituency MP aspirant
Patrick Munene were meeting some presiding officers and clerks to plan
how to rig the nominations.
Mr Njuki, however, denied the claims.
WAMBORA VS MBARIRE
County Jubilee secretary-general Isaac Mugo appealed for sobriety and asked candidates to accept the results.
County Jubilee secretary-general Isaac Mugo appealed for sobriety and asked candidates to accept the results.
In
Meru, Senator Kiraitu Murungi has no competitor in the Jubilee governor
race, as is Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi, who is vying for the
senate seat.
There will be, however, a cut-throat battle between Ms Florence Kajuju and Ms Kawira Mwangaza for the Woman Rep post.
The
stakes are high in Embu County where Governor Martin Wambora and
Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire are seeking Jubilee ticket for governor
seat.
Reported by Ken Kimanthi, George Munene, Joseph Wangui and Grace Gitau
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