Nine battle it out for Mathare seat in by-election

By  Aggrey Mutambo

What you need to know:

  • Familiar opponents Wanjohi of TNA and Kariuki of Orange party face off once again.
  • The nine hope that the 88,053 registered voters in the area will elect them.
  • There are 115 polling stations spread across six county wards. The constituency was hived off Starehe.

Nine candidates are on Monday set to fight it out to earn the right to represent the people of Mathare constituency in the National Assembly.

It is the first by-election in Nairobi, Kenya’s most populous county, directly resulting from last year’s General Election.

The nine, including former MP George Wanjohi of TNA, hope that the 88,053 registered voters in the area will elect them.

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Mr Wanjohi, whose election was nullified by the Court of Appeal, is facing competition for the seat from the petitioner, Mr Steven Kariuki of ODM.

Though the two men are familiar foes, having contested for the seat last year, they will also have to deal with opposition from other candidates, who include Mr Billian Okoth Ojiwa (National Labour Party), Mr Sammy Jentruo Mudanya (Progressive Party of Kenya) and Mr Fwamba Nyangangali Crispus (Maendeleo Democratic Party).

The rest — Mr Barack Obat Blasto, Mr Nixon Kavai Inziria, Ms Mariam Muthoni Macharia and Mr William Omondi — are independent candidates.

Mr Omondi, a former Kasarani MP, was included on the ballot papers after the High Court ordered so only two weeks ago.

HIVED OFF

There are 115 polling stations spread across six county wards. The constituency was hived off Starehe.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said 690 poll officials will oversee the by-election, which starts this morning following rigorous campaigns that ended on Saturday evening.

“Security arrangements have been made and everything is going on well. Our clerks are heading to their stations, accompanied by security officers,” IEBC’s Mathare returning officer, Mr Joseph Masindet, told the Nation on Sunday evening. “We expect to receive all the results from the field by 8pm.”

CANDIDATES IN THE RACE

  • George Wanjohi (TNA)
  • Steven Kariuki (ODM)
  • Billian Okoth Ojiwa (National Labour Party)
  • Sammy Jentruo Mudanya (Progressive Party of Kenya)
  • Fwamba Nyangangali Crispus (Maendeleo Democratic Party)
  • Barack Obat Blasto (Independent)
  • Nixon Kavai Inziria (Independent)
  • Mariam Muthoni Macharia (Independent)
  • William Omondi (Independent)

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