Malindi poll: 10 candidates seek clearance

Ten candidates will present their nomination papers to the electoral commission Monday and Tuesday before embarking on official campaigns for the Malindi parliamentary by-election.

Sunday, many of the candidates spent time in churches seeking support.

Kadu Asili flagbearer Reuben Katana went for a service at the Miracle Church in Ngala Phase Four accompanied by Kaloleni MP Gunga Mwinga.

The MP asked the congregation to vote for Mr Katana and to turn out in large numbers to accompany him when he presents his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Malindi town on Tuesday.

The JAP flagbearer, Mr Philip Charo, was expected to attend a football match at Msabaha, together with some Jubilee politicians. He will present his nomination papers Monday.

Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula are expected to accompany the ODM candidate, Mr Willy Mtengo, to present his papers to the IEBC Monday.

Mr Odinga arrived in Kwale on Sunday and addressed a rally at Msambweni in the afternoon.

Mr Mtengo has been dogged by accusations that his academic papers are not in order.

Cord leaders expressed confidence that their candidate will emerge victorious.

MP Junet Mohammed said ODM had won all other by-elections and would do the same in Malindi.

“We won in Kajiado and here being our stronghold we will win by 10am,” he said.

Politicians from various parties started streaming into Malindi on Sunday to show their support for their candidates and to accompany them to the IEBC offices.

Some have planned to address rallies after presenting their papers.

DOOR-TO-DOOR CAMPAIGNS

A number of Jubilee legislators are already in Malindi to campaign for their candidate, Mr Charo, who enjoys the support of rebel ODM legislators from Kilifi and Kwale who have mounted a door-to-door campaign to drum up support for him.

The team campaigning for Mr Charo, a former manager with NIC bank, is led by Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro and Kinango’s Gonzi Rai. Others in the group are Mr Mustapha Idd of Kilifi South (ODM).

Mr Charo and Mr Mtengo are expected to be the front-runners in the by-election to replace Mr Dan Kazungu, who was appointed Cabinet Secretary for mining in November.

Mr Kazungu, who was the ODM lawmaker for Malindi, became the first person from the region to be appointed to the Cabinet.

He was also the second ODM legislator to be appointed to the Cabinet after Maj-Gen (rtd) Joseph Nkaissery, now the CS for the Interior and Co-ordination of the National Government.

Mr David Maingi, who is seeking to capture the seat on a Shirikisho Party ticket, Sunday said he was confident of winning.

“This time we are going to pull a surprise on those who think the seat is for major political parties,” said Mr Maingi, who will present his nomination papers Monday.

He said big political parties had formed a habit of imposing candidates on the electorate, a move he said should not be tolerated.

“All the candidates sponsored by the big parties were only imposed by the leaders and that is where we shall beat them hands down,” he said.

Politician Naomi Cidi said a win for Shirikisho was eminent because voters are interested in a person of their choice, not one imposed on them.

“Mark my words. Shirikisho will do wonders in this by-election,” she said.

Mr Mwinga — speaking after a church service in Malindi — said his party’s candidate will present his papers Tuesday.