A Kilifi county MCA has declared interest in the Magarini parliamentary seat in the coming general election.
Albert Kiraga, the MCA for Gongoni for 15 years (first as a councillor), said he has enough expertise to lead a constituency.
There are reports that the the county assembly deputy speaker, who is also Adu MCA Stanley Kenga, is also eyeing the Magarini post but is yet to publicly declare.
Speaking in Gongoni during an end-of-year tournament which he sponsored in his ward, Kiraga said he would contest for the seat on an ODM ticket.
Kiraga, who is the budget committee chairman at the assembly, said he was first a councillor during the defunct county council then elected MCA in 2013 to date, adding that this is why he chose to go for the parliamentary seat owing to the experience he has gained over the years.
“In our area, there is no other party which is more popular than ODM, Magarini is ODM and so is the entire Kilifi county. Those vying on other parties should be prepared for a tough battle because we are in ODM and it is not only the party of choice but has a good manifesto for the people,” he said.
In 2017, three MCAs rose to the National Assembly and the Senate including two elected and one nominated.
Those who contested and won include Kilifi County Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu who won the seat on an ODM ticket and Teddy Mwambire who was elected Ganze MP and is now the ODM chairman in Kilifi.
On the other hand, Christine Zawadi served as Nominated MCA at the county assembly of Kilifi and later got a nomination as a senator.
Kiraga said he was welcoming all other aspirants who would like to join ODM and asked them not to fear party primaries, adding that whoever will win will be supported by all other aspirants.
The MCA said one of his opponents, a former MP of Magarini went to see Raila last Thursday but will not get any endorsement because he is in Azimio la Umoja but his interests are elsewhere.
“I would like to state categorically that those who are in Azimio la Umoja but are in other parties should not be entertained because they are not supporting ODM, let those in Shirikisho join ODM,” he said.
The Magarini parliamentary hopeful said he organised the tournament with 40 teams with the finals was between Panthers and Juventus who were awarded prizes.
He said organising the tournament cost him over Sh200,000 and has helped nurture talents and also prevent youths from engaging in social vices.
Samson Kombe, the NG-CDF chairman Magarini constituency, said they fully support the ambitions of Kiraga to vie or MP and would do all they can to ensure he sails through.
Kombe, who has been with Kiraga for 15 years of his political career, said he would also contest in the Gongoni ward seat.
Also present were aspirants from the ward level including Frankline Konbe who said they had confidence that Kiraga will deliver if elected MP in the constituency.
-Edited by SKanyara
