Jubilee, Cord fight it out in ward polls

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto campaigns for the Peoples Patriotic Party of Kenya candidate Andrew Maritim for the Nyangores ward at Kapkesosio Primary School in Chepalungu Sub County for the February 12, 2016 by-election. PHOTO | GEOFFREY RONO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Several MPs joined Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto in drumming up support for his Peoples Patriotic Party of Kenya (PPPK) candidate Andrew Maritim while Deputy National Speaker Joyce Laboso campaigned for Jubilee nominee Richard Leitich.
  • Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno and Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat, however, joined Governor Ruto’s campaign.
  • PPPK was formed by the Bomet governor after he fell out with Deputy President William Ruto, whose URP is folding up to join the Jubilee Party.

Voters in Nyangores and Masongaleni in Bomet and Makueni counties today elect new ward representatives following highly charged campaigns by Jubilee and Cord.

The Nyangores seat fell vacant after the death of Ms Cecelia Towett in an accident last year.

On Wednesday, the candidates criss-crossed the ward making their final pitch.

Several MPs joined Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto in drumming up support for his Peoples Patriotic Party of Kenya (PPPK) candidate Andrew Maritim while Deputy National Speaker Joyce Laboso campaigned for Jubilee nominee Richard Leitich.

She was accompanied by Bomet Senator Wilfred Lesan, MPs Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi North), Cecily Mbarire (Runyejes), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi Woman Rep), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and former Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno and Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat, however, joined Governor Ruto’s campaign.

PPPK was formed by the Bomet governor after he fell out with Deputy President William Ruto, whose URP is folding up to join the Jubilee Party.

The by-election tomorrow rekindles fresh rivalry between DP Ruto and Governor Ruto.

The governor has told President Uhuru Kenyatta to forget about the Kalenjin vote if DP Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang are still facing ICC charges come election time.

In Masongaleni, the seat fell vacant last September following the death of Mr John Kilonzo.

Candidates include Col (rtd) Richard Munywoki, Ms Florence Kasiku (Tip), Col (rtd) Kisangai Mumo (Wiper), Mr Dominic Mutote (Muungano) and Mr Charles Koko (LPK).
Party officials of Wiper and The Independent Party said their agents will carry out their own tallying.

This follows claims by Wiper of plans to rig the poll.

On Wednesday, candidates traversed the ward in a bid to win votes.

The Wiper team was led by secretary-general and Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, area Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior and coordinator Rose Museo.

The Tip camp was led by party leader Kalembe Ndile, Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka and Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka.