Malindi Jubilee candidate Philip Charo exudes confidence ahead of mini poll

The Jubilee candidate for the Malindi by-election Philip Charo. He has dismissed Cord leader Raila Odinga’s warning that the Jubilee Coalition would be humiliated in the March 7 poll. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said what would count in the by-election is not the political party but rather, an individual’s credibility and ability to deliver.
  • He warned his opponents to stop hiding under the umbrella of political parties saying the time for euphoria was gone.
  • Mr Charo is likely to face strong opposition from the ODM candidate Willy Baraka Mtengo.
  • The seat fell vacant after former ODM MP Dan Mzee Kazungu was appointed the Cabinet Secretary for Mining.

The Jubilee candidate for the Malindi by-election Philip Charo has dismissed Cord leader Raila Odinga’s warning that the Jubilee Coalition would be humiliated in the March 7 poll.

Speaking in Malindi, Mr Charo said dismissed the ODM leader’s assertion as being based on ignorance.

“Mr Odinga can speak what he wants. But for this issue, he does not know the correct situation on the ground. He spoke from Nairobi, not Malindi and obviously not for the people of Malindi,” he said.

Mr Charo said what would count in the by-election is not the political party but rather, an individual’s credibility and ability to deliver.

“Malindi people are tired of parties because all this time, they have not benefited from them. They want a leader whom they can trust and who can articulate their problems and handle them to their satisfaction. They are the ones to decide, not anyone else,” he said.

TIME FOR EUPHORIA GONE

He warned his opponents to stop hiding under the umbrella of political parties saying the time for euphoria was gone.

However, Mr Charo admitted that he faced a difficult battle from other candidates but declared that he was ready for it.

“I don’t at all underrate my opponents for this is war and whoever goes to war is well prepared. But I want to say that I am ready for this war and I have got absolutely no doubt in my mind that I will win the seat,” he said.

He said that he had been on the ground working with the communities for a long and that this had enhanced his chances to emerge victorious “as opposed to my opponents who are almost strangers here.”

“Malindi people need a leader, not a party. My status as Philip Charo stands high in the community and that is what gives me an edge over the rest,” he said.

He is likely to face strong opposition from the ODM candidate Willy Baraka Mtengo.

RAILA WARNS JUBILEE

Addressing a gathering outside the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, Mr Odinga said Malindi remains a Cord zone and warned Jubilee to expect an embarrassing defeat in the by-election.

The seat fell vacant after former ODM MP Dan Mzee Kazungu was appointed the Cabinet Secretary for Mining.

The by-election has been billed as a major litmus test on the popularity of Cord and the determined penetration of Jubilee into the Opposition area through baskets of goodies poured during President Kenyatta’s month-long tour of the Coast.

The Opposition, through its regional point-man and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, has vowed to conduct a massive campaign for the seat.

On the other hand, ODM rebel Kilifi North MP and Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro who leads the Jubilee side has promised “the mother of all campaigns” for the seat.