COUNTY POLITICS: Mumias East MP in tight race for re-election after joining Jubilee Party

What you need to know:

  • The decision by Benjamin Washiali, the Member of Parliament for Mumias East, to support the Jubilee Party appears to have fuelled campaigns by the Opposition to try and unseat him as he strives to win a third consecutive term in Parliament.

  • But he Washiali appears unfazed by the flurry of campaigns aimed at kicking him out for backing the Jubilee Party in a perceived opposition stronghold.

Mumias East constituency in Kakamega county has been thrust into the limelight due to intense campaigns between Jubilee Party and the National Super Alliance (Nasa).

The incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Benjamin Washiali is a point-man for the Jubilee Party in the county.

His decision to support the Jubilee Party appears to have fuelled campaigns by the Opposition to try and unseat him as he strives to win a third consecutive term in Parliament.

But Mr Washiali appears unfazed by the flurry of campaigns aimed at kicking him out for backing the Jubilee Party in a perceived opposition stronghold.

Last year, he hosted President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto during the launch of the tarmacking of Ebokolo-Shianda-Malaha road.

But the emergence of Nasa is sending jitters as fresh political realignments take shape in the region.

There is growing expectation among opposition supporters in western region that Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi will be picked as the Nasa candidate for the August polls.

In the past three months, Mr Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula have made several campaign forays in the constituency in an attempt to sway the support Mr Washiali enjoys.

Mr Mudavadi has toured the constituency three times during the period to campaign for ANC parliamentary aspirant David Wamatsi.

Mr Wetang’ula has also toured the constituency twice this year to campaign for Mr James Rapando, while Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has also stepped up campaigns to unseat Mr Washiali.

POLITICAL ADVISER

Mr Justin Mutobera resigned his position as the political adviser of Deputy Governor Philip Kutima to constest the seat on an ODM ticket.

Mr Mutobera unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary seat in 2013 and he will be making a second attempt to clinch it.

Ms Catherine Omurunga, 37, is also seeking to become the first female MP in the constituency.

“I know things will not be easy but I draw my strength from the support I enjoy from the women in the constituency,” said Ms Omurunga.

Mumias East is a rural constituency with a population of about 100,956, according to the 2009 national population census. It has three wards, Lusheya-Lubinu, Malaha-Isongo-Lubinu and East Wanga.

Two key issues are likely to influence voting patterns and determine who clinches the seat.

Sugarcane farming is a key economic activity in the constituency and plays a significant role in shaping the outcome of the polls.

The two dominant clans from the Wanga sub-tribe of the Luhya – Abashitsetse and Abakholwe – have in the past played a key role in determining the outcome of the election in the constituency.