Why Kikuyu Constituency voters will not cast ballot for MP

Kikuyu constituency MP Anthony Kimani Ichung’wah is set to be re-elected unopposed after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) named him as the only candidate for the seat he currently holds.

This means that the first-term MP will retain his seat and no election will be held in his constituency for that seat.

Mr Ichung’wah told nation.co.ke he had not been contacted by the commission through its returning officer but he expected that to happen soon now that the list of candidates has been published in the Kenya Gazette.

OPPONENTS

“From June 2, I knew there was no one else who had submitted nomination papers to the IEBC. With the overwhelming majority with which I won the nominations, and my opponents ceding and saying they would work with me, I expected no problems,” he added.

He also reacted to the announcement via a post on Facebook where he said: “All Glory and Honour to the Almighty Lord. I feel Blessed of the Lord and honoured by you all. To you my people, I will serve you with honour, dedication and renewed vigor. For in serving you faithfully, I serve my God and fulfill his wish and purpose of my life.”

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was the last MP to be elected unopposed, which happened in the August 2014 by-election.

GAZETTED

This time, though, he is facing six opponents, four of them independent candidates.

Meanwhile, Homa Bay governor aspirant Oyugi Magwanga has been omitted from the gazetted list of candidates for the August 8 poll.

Mr Magwanga, who has picked economist and marketing guru Joshua Orero as his running mate, had defected and announced he would run as an independent candidate.

The Kasipul MP lost to Governor Cyprian Awiti in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party nominations.

Mr Awiti, with Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, will battle it out with independent candidate Calvins Misama (running mate Mark Olang) and Jubilee flag-bearer Tom Otieno, who has Michael Ogolla as his running mate.