Parties take back seat in Ikolomani as eyes turn to candidates

Party lines have increasingly become blurred in campaigns for the Ikolomani seat as backers of the two main candidates intensify their efforts ahead of the May 23 by-election.

Allies of Prime Minister Raila Odinga are going all out to back ODM candidate Bernard Shinali while several other parties are galvanising support for Dr Boni Khalwale.

A new twist was added last week when ODM branch officials from Garsen and Galole hit the campaign trail to back Dr Khalwale, who is running on a New Ford Kenya ticket.

Ford Kenya campaigners led by former party chairman Musikari Kombo have already declared support for New Ford Kenya candidate.

And with Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa already hinting that New Ford Kenya could be his vehicle for his presidential bid, Ikolomani gives him a major test in his battle for supremacy in western region against Sabatia MP Musalia Mudavadi.

A win for Mr Shinali, the ODM candidate, would be a big boost to the Orange party’s popularity in the region ahead of next year’s polls. Mr Mudavadi is this weekend leading a door-to-door campaign in the area.

The outcome of the by-election is likely to have a bearing on the battle for political supremacy between Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wamalwa.

ODM dominance in the region will be put to test in the by-election in what is turning out into a contest that could be determined by the popularity of the individual candidates.

Mr Odinga re-energised ODM campaigns last week when he addressed rallies in Shiseso, Musoli, Isulu, Malinya, Bushangala, Eregi and Makhokho.

Mr Odinga’s foray in Ikolomani got a warm reception save for Malinya, the backyard of Dr Khalwale, where the ODM candidate ran into hostile supporters of his opponent.

Officials from Garsen and Galole ODM branches have pitched camp in the constituency and have been pleading with voters to give Dr Khalwale a chance to complete his term.

The chairman of ODM Garsen branch Michael Kaduda and his Galole counterpart Omar Balozi said they were in Ikolomani to send a message to the party’s top leadership.

The little known Grand National Unity (GNU) party is involved in door-to-door campaigns. The party has sent its national treasurer to join the re-election campaign for Dr Khalwale.

In what could enhance Dr Khalwale’s bid, the Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua was on the campaign trail last Wednesday.

The Gichugu MP addressed two rallies at Shisende and Ibuyonje. She said it would a big mistake if voters in Ikolomani dumped Dr Khalwale because of the euphoria over parties.

“The people of Ikolomani should know they have a hero in Dr Khalwale. If you make a mistake and go for somebody else because of the party, Kenyans will never forgive you for making such a gamble,” said Ms Karua.

Ms Karua who was accompanied by party officials from Western Kenya said her party had decided to support Dr Khalwale because of his contributions in Parliament.

But voters in the constituency remain sharply divided on who to vote for come May 23.

Some voters say ditching Dr Khalwale and voting for a new MP with less than a year to the next General Election would be a waste of time.

Dr Khalwale’s critics fault his development record in the eight years he has been in Parliament.

Track record

But Dr Khalwale has defended his track record saying he had used allocations from the Constituency Development Fund kitty to construct health facilities and improve facilities in primary and secondary schools.

A former lecturer at Masinde Muliro University, Dr Collins Matemba, is making his first stab at the parliamentary seat on Ford People ticket.

Dr Matemba has concentrated on door-to-door campaigns telling voters to elect him if they expected meaningful change.