Party realignment as candidates line up for Saitoti, Ojodeh seats

Major political battles are shaping up in Kajiado North, Ndhiwa and Kangema constituencies as aspirants position themselves to succeed former MPs George Saitoti, Orwa Ojodeh and John Michuki.

Last week, President Kibaki assented to the Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2012, giving the mandate to the National Assembly Speaker to issue writs for the by-elections to be held.

The Kajiado North and Ndhiwa seats fell vacant after the deaths of Prof Saitoti and Mr Ojodeh in a helicopter crash last month, while the Kangema seat fell vacant in February upon the death of Mr Michuki after an illness.

Presidential aspirants

By-elections to replace the three are expected to raise political temperatures as presidential aspirants and political parties use them as testing grounds for their popularity ahead of the General Election.

House Speaker Kenneth Marende, who has been on an official visit to London, is expected to issue writs to clear the way for the three elections when he returns later this week.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan says they plan to hold the by-elections on the same day at an expected cost of about Sh120 million.

It is expected that Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM, the PNU, which Prof Saitoti headed, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA, DPM Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party and Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s URP will use the by-elections to demonstrate their strength.

The Rev Moses Sakuda, who led ODM in posting a significant show against Prof Saitoti in 2007, has decamped to TNA (The National Alliance).

“I would like to contest through a party that is very close to the President. It is clear I will not be running through ODM again,” Mr Sakuda told the Sunday Nation.

His defection is likely to lead to a bruising battle between ODM and TNA, the two parties thought to be able to muster the greatest support in the constituency. Mr Sakuda contested Prof Saitoti’s victory in 2007 but later dropped his court petition. He was subsequently given a job in the ministry of Energy.

However, it will not be a smooth ride for him in TNA as city businessman Solomon Kinyanjui and Mr Parsimei Gitau are also planning to vie for the seat on the same party’s ticket.

The race

“I am in the race through the TNA ticket, and my team is already on the ground waiting for the whistle to be blown so we can start off,” Mr Kinyanjui said.

In 2007, Mr Kinyanjui ran on a DP ticket. Mr Sakuda’s exit from ODM leaves Mr Peter ole Mositet and Capt (rtd) Edward ole Keen battling for the party’s ticket.

“I am talking to my supporters, and we will make our decision known very soon,” Mr Mositet said. A number of candidates are also expected to vie for the Ndhiwa seat that Mr Ojodeh held for more than 18 years.

ODM National Executive Council member Mrs Monica Amolo, who came second in the last elections, has announced she will vie for the seat.

“I have been preparing for the General Election, but now that the by-election has come in between, I will contest,” she said.

Her challengers include former MP Tom Obondo, who defected from Ford-Kenya to Kanu just months after winning the 1992 elections.

Mr Obondo has been seeking to mend fences with the electorate by supporting ODM, Mr Ojodeh’s party.

Also seeking the ODM ticket for Ndhiwa are Mr Jeremiah Owiti, Mr Neto Oyugi and Mr Louis Otieno Ogingo, who is a son of the former area MP Martin Ogingo.