PNU's Kamukunji nominations fail

PNU Alliance's hopes of fielding a single candidate in the Kamukunji by-elections suffered Wednesday when the parliamentary nominations flopped.

The returning officer Titus Kibue called off the elections at 4 pm following frequent interruptions by supporters of former Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua, who lost the seat following a court petition, and those of ODM-K candidate Yusuf Hassan.

About 2,000 delegates and PNU Alliance affiliate parties officials had gathered at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi since 6 am for the nominations to decide the group's torchbearer.

Thirteen candidates from 10 PNU Alliance affiliates had lined up to square it out for the slot.

However, earlier the supporters of Paul Waweru Mwangi aka Frankie announced he had jumped ship following expected flaws in the nomination and that he had acquired the National Vision Party ticket to vie for the seat in May 23 polls.

Candidates have until Thursday to present their nomination papers to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

Mr Kibue and PNU Alliance officials George Nyamweya, Jamleck Kamau and Jeremiah Kioni said the nominations would be repeated Thursday and warned that candidates whose supporters would interfere with the exercise would be disqualified.

The party decided to use the collegiate system, with all PNU affiliate parties that have candidates producing 20 delegates in every ward and who will constitute the nominations college for the exercise.

Officials from each of the 10 parties were also to participate in the nominations bringing the total number of voters to 1,600. Each of the affiliates gave 160 delegates plus officials.

The winning candidate had to garner 50 plus one votes, and if non-secures the threshold, the first two would have gone for a run off.

PNU chose the new formula to ease the nomination process and avoid the mistake it made in the Starehe, Makadara and Juja by-elections where it gave its candidates direct nominations, causing divisions that were blamed for its eventual loss.

Mr Nyamweya and Mr Kioni were at Bomas before the nominations and expressed hope of success although they expressed fears some losers might still defect and vie in other parties.

When the nominations started at 2.30 pm, a group chanting slogans in support of Mr Mbugua became rowdy, shouting, heckling the returning officer and booing their rivals, temporarily stopping the exercise.

Efforts by the police and returning officer to plead with the group to be calm and allow the exercise to continue fell on deaf ears.

Police efforts to eject the noisy group also failed as they refused to leave the voting room.

The group rejected a system that could have seen voting done as per various parties delegates on an alphabetical order immediately when it was announced that Agano members should start. They were also unhappy with a requirement that only those on list of delegates and officials are allowed to vote and that extra votes from wards and parties be termed null and void.

Although calmer, a section of Mr Hassan’s supporters also interrupted the polls as they tried to shout down those of Mr Mbugua.

And after retreating to consultations with election officials and candidates, Mr Kibue announced the rescheduling of the nominations.

Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings, Mr Nyamweya, Mr Kioni and Mr Kamau warned that candidates whose supporters cause chaos during the repeat of the nomination process would be disqualified.

Mr Nyamweya said only verified party officials from the seven wards that form Kamukunji constituency would be allowed into the compound of the Bomas of Kenya.

“We had not anticipated people pushing their way into the hall, who would later refuse to leave,” said Mr Nyamweya.

Mr Kamau said the party still has confidence in the electoral college system despite the hitches.

“All will be in place by tomorrow morning. The team managing the elections tomorrow (Thursday) has the mandate to forcefully deal with those causing trouble by disqualifying their candidate,” said Mr Kamau.

Deputy secretary general Jeremiah Kioni said the postponement of the nomination process; even with the deadline looming was necessary "to lock out those who thrive in chaos".

Former PNU strategist for Nairobi Province in the 2007 general elections, Mr Jimmy Kuria, Mr David Waihiga of Agano Party and Mr James Chacha are also eyeing the PNU Alliance ticket.

The winner of PNU Alliance nominations will face Mr Waweru, Mr Johnny Ibrahim of ODM and Mr Brian Weke of Narc-Kenya in the by-elections.