- Big names affiliated too President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party were humbled by the UDA wave in mt Kenya including National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya.
- Also trounced in Tuesday' general elections was Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni who is also the outgoing Ndaragwa MP.
Image: FILE
Big names affiliated to President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party were humbled by the UDA wave in Mt Kenya including National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya.
Also trounced in Tuesday's general election was Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni who was seeking to defend his Ndaragwa MP seat.
A spot-check by the Star showed that Deputy President William Ruto's allies in Mt Kenya were poised for big victories in both MP and goverrnor seats.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, it has been an honour. I accept the results with contentment,” Kioni said on his social media page on Tuesday afternoon.
The influential chairman of the constitutional implementation committee of the National Assembly was trounced by UDA's George Gachagua.
In Kipipiri, it was a sad day for Kimunya who lost to UDA's candidate Wanjiku Muhia.
The legislator also took to social media to thank the people of Kipipiri, where he served as a MP for 15 years.
"The people made their decision, which was different from our expectations. In a democracy, the will of the people prevails, and therefore I and #TeamKimunya will respect their choices," Kimunya said.
By Wednesday mid-day, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga was ahead of his two main competitors in the race, Thuo Mathenge of TND and Senator Ephraim Maina of Jubilee.
There were also clear signs that Woman Representative Rahab Mukami would retain her seat while Wahome Wamatinga was ahead of his closest challenger Priscilla Nyokabi of Jubilee.
Other poised to win include all UDA parliamentary candidates in all the six constituencies in Nyeri.
Among the incumbents expected to lose their seats in the race include Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Ngunjiri Wambugu (Nyeri Town), Anthony Kiai (Mukurwe-ini) and Gichuki Mugambi (Othaya).
UDA candidate Njoroge Wainaina was ahead of Kega while Maina Mathenge was ahead of Wambugu and speaker John Kaguchia leads in the race against of Kiai.
By the time of going to press, Mugambi had already conceded defeat on his Facebook page.
"I take this opportunity to thank the great people of Othaya for giving me the chance to serve them as their Member of Parliament for the last 5 years," he wrote.
"I have no doubt we have left Othaya better than we found it. I thank all those who have walked this journey with me."
The other person poised to win is Konyu MCA Eric Wamumbi who was nominated to run for the Mathira MP seat on UDA after the incumbent Rigathi Gachagua was picked as DP Ruto's running mate.
It is also expected that more than 90 per cent of Nyeri MCAs will be elected on UDA.
Upon his nomination as Ruto's running mate, Gachagua made numerous visits to Nyeri, where he campaigned for his presidential candidate and other UDA candidates to ring-fence DP's support in the area.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)