Ruaraka race to test ODM strength as Ongoro takes on Kajwang’

The battle for the Ruaraka parliamentary seat is expected to provide a very interesting scenario.

Two of the leading candidates set to face off in the August 8 elections were once bosom buddies in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) but are now political rivals.

They are the incumbent — Mr TJ Kajwang — and nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro.

ONGORO DISCIPLINED
Other candidates seeking the seat are Paul Musikoyo (independent), Charles Ouma (independent), Dominic Gathecha (Jubilee Party), Joseph Isaboke (National Rainbow Coalition) and Allan Juma of the National Vision Party.

In April, Mrs Ongoro decamped from ODM only a day after being barred from contesting the parliamentary seat, on the party ticket, on disciplinary grounds. 

This was after her supporters clashed with those of Mr Kajwang’ in Mathare in March, leaving two people dead.

STRONGHOLD
She then joined the Musalia Mudavadi-led Amani National Congress (ANC) from where she vowed to trounce her ODM rival.

The constituency is no doubt an ODM stronghold as all the five current ward reps were elected on the party’s ticket in the 2013 General Election.

Ruaraka has a total of 116,301 registered voters spread across the five wards, namely Mathare North, Baba Dogo, Lucky Summer, Korogocho, and Utalii. 

SCHEME
Mathare North has the highest number of registered voters at 27,768, closely followed by Baba Dogo (27,739), Utalii (26,020) and Lucky Summer (17,622).

Korogocho, on the other hand, has the least number at 17,116. 

Moments after announcing her departure from ODM, the fiery senator, while describing herself as a victim of circumstances, accused unnamed officials of plotting to deny her the ODM ticket for the parliamentary seat.

ONG'WEN ATTACKED
She pointed out the existence of cartels that threatened her numerous times, cases which she reported to the party.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing was done. The last straw was in a well-orchestrated scheme to throw me out,” she said then. 

In the scheme, she said, she was painted as a violent woman, with her supporters being linked to the roughing up of ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen.

She denied those were her supporters.

RAILA SUPPORT
Mrs Ongoro accused the ODM disciplinary committee of being influenced to block her from vying in favour of Mr Kajwang’.

“What was read by the ODM disciplinary committee was a decision taken a long time ago,” she said shortly after being awarded the ANC party life membership certificate.

The senator, who committed herself to support the National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential candidate Raila Odinga, however, cautioned that the move to edge her out of ODM could have a negative ripple effect on the party.

POPULARITY
Mrs Ongoro exuded confidence that she will easily trounce her competitor.

The fierce political competition in the constituency is expected to intensify as campaigns enter the final stretch ahead of the August 8 polls.

Mr Kajwang has however downplayed the friendly political fire in the constituency, saying the area is an ODM zone.

“The constituency has always been an ODM stronghold and nothing is set to change even this time round,” he said.

“Nobody can rely on the popularity of ODM while she is on another party to win Ruaraka seat. I am confident I will win again in August polls,” Mr Kajwang said earlier, regarding his main rival’s candidature.

FORMER MP
Together with Roysambu, Ruaraka Constituency was created after the approving of the 2010 Constitution.

It was carved out of the larger Kasarani Constituency, which was once led by Mr Adolph Muchiri, now deceased, and afterward, Mr William Omondi and Ms Elizabeth Ongoro.

In 2002, there was a host of candidates, including Mr Kajwang, Mr William Omondi and Mr Muchiri, who was then defending his seat.

Mr Omondi however carried the day.

MOBILISER
In 2007, the race even got stiffer, with Ms Ongoro, Ms Roslyn Okumu, and Mr Kajwang all eyeing to unseat Mr Omondi.

The party handed Ms Ongoro the nomination certificate despite claims that she did not fairly win the primaries.

This time however the party affiliation might favour the incumbent in the August polls.

But Ms Ongoro might pull a surprise since she is a well-known political mobiliser at the grassroots.