Get ready for tough battle for Mombasa seat, Awiti tells rivals
Nyali MP Hezron Awiti who is vying for Mombasa governorship on a VDP ticket is mobbed by his supporters after presenting his nomination papers to IEBC on June 1, 2017. He has challenged his rivals for a tough political duel. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Awiti warned his opponents that they should prepare for a major political battle.
- He was cleared him to run on his Vibrant Democratic Party (VDP) ticket.
- Some of the aspirants are scheduled to present their papers on Friday.
Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has promised to wage a tough political battle for the Mombasa governor’s seat in the August 8 elections, terming himself as the frontrunner.
Mr Awiti has said this Thursday after IEBC cleared him to run on his Vibrant Democratic Party (VDP) ticket.
Mr Awiti, who is the VDP party leader, was cleared together with his running mate, Mr Hassan Bakari Mwamtoa at the Kenya School of Government and issued with a nomination certificate.
Addressing jubilant supporters after IEBC Returning Officer Nancy Wanjiku cleared him, Mr Awiti warned his opponents that they should prepare for a major political battle.
BRUISING BATTLE
“I am telling my opponents to be ready for a bruising battle and telling them I am the front runner,” he said and called for peaceful campaigns.
“My ambition is to promote unity among all tribes and communities of Kenya who are all found in Mombasa County. I will carry out peaceful campaigns and I urge my opponents to do likewise,” he said.
Governor Ali Hassan Joho of ODM was scheduled to present his papers at 2pm followed by Anthony Chitavi Mkala of United Democratic Party (UDP).
Those scheduled to present their papers on Friday are Mr Daniel Munga Kitsao of Kadu-Asili, Mr Suleiman Shahbal of Jubilee Party, Mr Make Otuke (Maendeleo Chap Chap), Senator Hassan Omar of Wiper and Mr Anderson Chibule wa Tsuma (independent).
SENATE CANDIDATES
All the 11 senate candidates will also present their papers on Friday.
They include Mr Abdusalam Ali Kassim (Jubilee), Mohamed Faki (ODM), Abbas Mohamed (Independent), Yasser Ali bajaber (Ford-Kenya) and Stephen Mure Yaa (Maendeleo Chap Chap).
Others are Onesmus Habel Chome (Shirikisho Party of Kenya), Ms Florence Wawuda (Vibrant Democratic Party), Hamisi Mwaguya (independent), Mahadh Swabir Abubakar (independent), Jabes Oduor (independent) and Lawrence Kisilu (Wiper).
A total of 10 woman rep candidates were cleared on Wednesday.
They include Mercy Mbithe Maweu (Ford Kenya), Zipora Tabu Obura (Amani National Congress), Sarah Makali Makau (Vibrant Democratic Party), Afia Rama Mkuwewe (independent) and Lydia Lubalo Elizabeth (independent).
Others are Halima Anwar Mohamed (Maendeleo Chap Chap), Amina Abdalla (Jubilee), Zam Zam Mohamed Chimba (Wiper), Khadija Muhsin (independent) and Asha Hussein Mohamed (ODM).
