•Machanje surmounted numerous court battles on his way to victory.
•His patience was put to the test when the outgoing area MCA, Joseph Ndonji, filed a petition asking the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to revoke his win in the party primaries.
Image: Carolyne Kubwa
Shadrack Machanje, the newly-elected Member of County Assembly (MCA) in Umoja II, Nairobi, has pledged to address a severe water scarcity that has plagued the ward for a while now.
Speaking on Thursday, Machanje said he would sink more boreholes to counter the biting shortage.
“As you are aware, our population has outgrown the current water supply by far and it is important to look for a long-term solution.
“Umoja II residents need a clean environment and constant supply of clean water. The instant remedy is to drill more boreholes in the area,” Machanje said.
A seasoned pugilist, Machanje also promised to empower the youth through sports, adding that he knew boxers who had successfully secured jobs in the armed forces on the strength of their talent.
Machanje is currently serving his second year as the country representative of the World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF).
“I've always longed to have a social hall in the ward, where our youths can empower themselves through various sports disciplines. Several boxers I trained in the past have landed jobs in the Kenya Defence Forces as well as the National Police Service,” Machanje said.
“My administration will protect and promote local businesses through a local-based Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies among many other things.”
Machanje surmounted numerous court battles on his way to victory. His patience was put to the test when the outgoing area MCA, Joseph Ndonji, filed a petition asking the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to revoke his win in the party primaries.
Machanje won the ODM Party Umoja II Ward ticket on April 22. However, Ndonji moved to the corridors of justice a couple of days later to contest his victory.
Ndonji, who emerged sixth in the nominations, requested IEBC to remove Machanje's name from the nominees' register and hand him the ticket on grounds that he was the area chairman.
On May 14, the tribunal nullified Machanje's nomination on grounds that the process had been conducted unprocedural. PPT thereafter referred the matter to the Party's National Elections Board.
After a protracted battle, the party eventually settled on the ex-tout as its flagbearer for the Umoja II seat.
Machanje rode to the office with an overwhelming majority after thumping his closest rival Felician Obilo of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) by over 7000 votes.
He garnered 12,829 votes against Obilo's 5,457 in the August 9 polls. Independent candidate Calvin Nyaure came a distant third with 1,958.
“I'm overwhelmed by the support I received before and during the election. I thank Umoja II voters for the decision they made on the election day,” Machanje said.
“Umoja II residents most certainly deserve much more than they have received in the past,” he concluded.
Edited by Tony Mballa