Kanini Kega says independents fuelling voter apathy in central

Kieni MP Kanini Kega has accused independent candidates of creating voter apathy in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s stronghold of central Kenya.

Speaking Sunday at Kanyagia in Nyeri County, the MP urged residents not to vote for the independents.

Mr Kega, who was the only elected MP in Nyeri who survived the Jubilee nominations, hit out at his former allies who went the independent way accusing them of trying to sabotage the re-election of President Kenyatta.

“We hear these people are telling voters not to vote in August claiming they were rigged out. They are trying to sabotage the president’s vote but we will not allow that,” said Mr Kega.

The lawmaker termed the independent candidates as serial losers who would not accept the outcome of the nominations or respect the will of the people.

“People made their decision and that should be respected and the losers should move on,” he said.

DROP BID

The lawmaker told independent candidates to drop their bids and campaign for Jubilee as was agreed on prior to the nominations.

However, he said there is no enmity between Jubilee and independent candidates but they should genuinely back President Kenyatta’s re-election bid.

“If you honestly support the president, then we are willing to work with you. But do not try bullying our president to back you in return,” said Mr Kega.

He told off candidates who said they will back the president if he does the same in return. He urged voters in the central region to remain united in voting President Kenyatta for a second term.

In Nyeri County, six elected MPs and 29 ward representatives were kicked out during Jubilee nominations and a number of them opted to vie as independents.
Among those who were defeated and are still running independently is Governor Samuel Wamathai, Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando Wa Kabando and Woman Rep Priscilla Nyokabi.