PNU Alliance to go all out for Hassan

The Party of National Unity Alliance has resolved to back and campaign vigorously for its candidate Yusuf Hassan in the Kamukunji parliamentary by-election.

The party held a parliamentary group meeting at County Hall Wednesday where it was decided that all its political giants would head to Kamukunji to campaign for Mr Hassan and ensure the party bags the seat.

Cabinet ministers Kiraitu Murungi, Beth Mugo, co-government chief whip Johnstone Muthama, MPs Mohamed Affey, P

hillip Kaloki and David Ngugi later handed over the alliance nomination certificate to Mr Hassan at Intercontinental Hotel.

Mr Hassan is to battle it out with Mr Johnny Ibrahim of ODM, Mr Paul Waweru Mwangi of National Vision Party and Mr Brian Weke (Narc-Kenya) for the seat.

Reports indicated that former MP Simon Mbugua who lost the seat following an election petition has been nominated by Kanu to vie for the seat but chairman Uhuru Kenyatta had refused to endorse him.

Kanu is part of the PNU Alliance and Mr Murungi said Mr Kenyatta fully supports Mr Hassan as its flag-bearer.

It is the second time parties under PNU Alliance will be rallying behind a single candidate after successful doing so during the recent Kirinyaga Central by-election.

“We have no doubt Mr Hassan is going to win this seat,” Mr Murungi said.

Mr Ngugi, who is chairman of small parliamentary parties, said all PNU Alliance bigwigs including Internal Security minister George Saitoti, Mr Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka will be in Kamukunji to campaign for Mr Hassan.

Mrs Mugo appealed to candidates who lost during the PNU Alliance nominations to support Mr Hassan.

Mr Muthama and Mr Murungi called for “peaceful, democratic and civilised” campaigns.

Mr Hassan expressed optimism of winning the seat and thanked the PNU Alliance for nominating and having confidence in him.

“I promise to meet the demands of a respectful parliamentarian,” Mr Hassan said.

Mr Hassan said the by-election would serve as an example to rest of the country of a united Kenya.

He also promised to conduct peaceful campaigns.

Speaking separately, Mr Mwangi said he is the man to beat in the Kamukunji by-election having initiated projects in the area.

A businessman with interests in real estate and Information and Communications Technology, Mr Mwangi was born and bred in California Estate.

Mr Mwangi said his vision is to ensure “that real changes in terms of development are experienced in Kamukunji in fullness regardless of gender, religion, political affiliation and age.”

Insecurity, mushrooming slums, poor conditions of Pumwani Maternity Hospital, drug abuse and lack of awareness of health issues are among issues Mr Mwangi says he would like to address if elected.

Others are improving conditions of small traders, garbage collection, water scarcity, land grabbing and demolitions, free primary education and miraa trade.

The Kamukunji and Ikolomani mini polls will be held on May 23.

The candidates were to present their certificates to Interim Independent Electoral Commission Wednesday and Thursday.

Other civic by-elections to be conducted alongside the parliamentary seats include Shirikisho ward in Garsen constituency, Central Gem in Gem constituency, Kimilili North in Kimilili Constituency, Tarbaj in Wajir East Constituency, Karebur in Turkana North.