Five face off today in Kitui West by-election
What you need to know:
- Kitui West seat fell vacant following the death of Francis Nyenze.
- Nasa affiliate parties did not field any candidates.
Voters in Kitui West constituency go back to the ballot on Monday to elect a new MP in the first by-election of the twelfth Parliament.
Five candidates who hope to fill the seat that fell vacant following the death of Francis Nyenze wound up their campaigns on Friday.
The constituency has 52,042 registered voters.
Stakes were significantly lowered when the two main coalitions —National Super Alliance and Jubilee — decided to back the same candidate.
JUBILEE WITHDRAWAL
Since the Nasa parties decided to back Wiper Party’s Edith Nyenze, the widow of the former MP, campaigns have been low-key.
The other candidates are Robert Leli of Narc-Kenya, Dr Fridah Mutui of Kenya Social Congress, Mr Dennis Mulwa running as an independent, and Mr Elijah Muimi Kilonzi of Chama Cha Mashinani.
In January, Mrs Nyenze beat former MP Nyiva Mwendwa’s son, Maluki Mwendwa, to win the Wiper ticket.
The surprise decision by Jubilee to withdraw from the race and back Mrs Nyenze, which was announced by secretary-general Raphael Tuju, caught many by surprise, including individuals who were seeking the ruling party’s ticket.
COMPASSIONATE
Mr Tuju said the party did not want to field any candidate to oppose Mrs Nyenze, whose husband died only three months after being re-elected.
“It is thus compassionate that the widow be granted a chance to implement the development agenda championed by her husband who was a leader of national repute,” Mr Tuju said.
The parties in the opposition coalition — ODM, Ford-Kenya, ANC, Narc and CCU — agreed not to field candidates.
