Nyamweya wins South Mugirango poll

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Ford People candidate Manson Nyamweya casts his vote at Nyabigene polling station during the South Mugirango by-elections June 10, 2010. He emerged the victor. Photo/TOM OTIENO

By DAN OTIENO
Posted Friday, June 11 2010 at 07:11

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Ford People's Manson Nyamweya has been elected the new Member of Parliament for South Mugirango after garnering 14,099 votes in a by-election held on Thursday.

Mr Nyamweya beat former assistant minister Omingo Magara of People's Democratic Party (PDP) who managed 8,885. The poll was occasioned after Mr Magara lost an election petition. He had been declared the winner during the 2007 general election.

The Orange Democratic Party's Ibrahim Ochoi came third with 7,638 votes.

Mr Nyamweya's win will be seen as a triumph over Kenya's big political parties, the ODM and the Party of National Unity (PNU). ODM's big names led by the party leader Raila Odinga pitched camp in the constituency.

On the other hand, the PNU national leadership led by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka came out strong to campaign for Mr Magara. The PNU campaign was joined by Cabinet Minister William Ruto of the ODM after he fell out with his party leader.