Newly registered Party of Economic Democracy (PED) will field candidates in the upcoming Msambweni constituency and Kahawa Wendani Ward by-elections.
Party officials, who received registration certificate last Thursday, said several aspirants have expressed interest in getting the party’s nomination certificate to contest for the seats.
The Msambweni seat fell vacant following the death of Suleiman Dori on March 9.
The Kahawa Wendani ward seat fell vacant after MCA Cyrus Omondi was found dead in his hotel room in Mumbai, India on February 12.
Chairperson Eliki Tom Musamali said the party will test its popularity in the two by-elections.
“The party was formed by youthful professionals. We are expecting young people to come out in large numbers to support us,” he said.
PED was formed by youth from vote-rich regions of Central, Eastern, Coast, Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley.
Musamali claimed that they have been receiving calls from senior government officials and politicians who want to 'call the shots and take over the ownership of the party' as 2022 nears.
“Senior state officials are already giving us a headache. There are some powerful from in government, and politicians from Central Kenya and Nyanza who want this party,” he said.
Joseph Karuri, the party’s central and eastern region coordinator also claimed that senior politicians and government officials want to take over the party.
“We expected such things to happen. We will, however, remain focused and we will not be swayed by cheap politics,” he assured.
He explained that politicians are keen to use the party to get the support of youths and women.
Party officials received the registration certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties on Thursday setting the ground for recruitment exercise that officials say will be delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Other officials are Martin Mutua (Vice-Chair), Enock Ombuna ( Organising Secretary), Joseph Karuri (Central Region Coordinator), Hellen Kanario (Secretary General/ Eastern Region Coordinator) and Benfred Obino (Executive Director).
The new outfit has a presence in 27 counties and managed to recruit over 1,000 members in each of those devolved units as required by law.
"It has been a long journey following the strict requirement by the Registrar of Political Parties. It has taken us almost three years before getting where we are today," said Musamali.
