- This is after the two political parties released their lineups of candidates who will be flying their flags in various elective posts in the county.
- They include those of MCAs, MPs, Woman Representative, senator and governor.
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
The stage is now set in Nyeri for a political duel between Jubilee and UDA in the August 9 general election.
This is after the two political parties released their lineups of candidates who will be flying their flags in various elective posts in the county.
They include those of MCAs, MPs, woman representative, senator and governor.
Jubilee and UDA are led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto respectively.
In UDA, which conducted its nominations on April 14, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga will be defending his seat, Wahome Wamatinga will be vying for the Senate seat while Women Rep Rahab Mukami will be fighting to retain her seat.
Others who will be flying the party’s flag in the six constituencies in Nyeri are MP Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), speaker John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Duncan Maina ( Nyeri Town) and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni).
In the Jubilee lineup released Tuesday, Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina will vie for governor seat, former Woman Rep Priscilla Nyokabi will be fighting for the Senate seat while Njeri Njori will be seeking to be Nyeri's third Women Representative.
Jubilee MP candidates are Wambura Maranga who will be flying the party's flag in Mathira, Kariuki Muchemi (Mukurwe-ini), MP Gichuki Mugambi (Othaya), Githigaro Wachira (Tetu), Ngunjiri Wambugu (Nyeri Town) and Kanini Kega (Kieni).
Others to face off during the election include MCA candidates from both sides whose lineups have also been released.
While UDA used both consensus and direct nominations to pick candidates with electorates voting for their preferred candidates where consensus did not work, Jubilee settled exclusively on consensus.
The two formulas have, however, drawn praises and criticism from aspirants and their supporters in equal measure.
Beth Nyawira who is vying for Mweiga ward seat expressed dissatisfaction with the way Jubilee picked its candidate in her ward, one Haroun Muriithi, saying she will not be supporting him.
“There was no consensus. The party just imposed a candidate (on the people) as nobody agreed to step down for the other,” Nyawira, who said she will announce her next political move, wrote on her Facebook account.
Wanjuhi Njoroge who was seeking the Jubilee ticket for woman representative seat said the party was not convinced that her youthfulness would add value to other candidates other than herself and so opted for her competitor.
She also said she will consult her supporters on her next move.
“The same way I came to you seeking your support is the same I'll come to you on the way forward. See you soon!”
In UDA nominations, Tetu MP Gichuhi Mwangi who lost to Wandeto said the primaries were not free and fair and vowed to be on the ballot paper come August.
-Edited by SKanyara