Thursday, January 17, 2013

It’s do-or-die as big names go for tickets


46 Days, 07 Hrs, 15 Mins, 01 Secs.

It’s do-or-die as big names go fo

Former commissioner at the Kenya Human Rights Commision, Hassan Omar is facing another prominent politician Ramadhan Kajembe for the Mombasa County Senate seat.
By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com  ( email the author)

Posted  Wednesday, January 16  2013 at  20:05
In Summary
  • 80 MPs quit Parliament race to go for other jobs in a move that signals a massive shift in politics and power distribution
  • The primaries are expected to generate fireworks in several counties across the country as aspirants jostle to secure the tickets of the dominant parties in their respective regions.
Share This Story
 
 
0
Share
A Cabinet minister on Wednesday joined a growing list of politicians opting out of elective politics.
Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo announced at a press conference that he would not run for any seat during the March 4 General Election.
The outgoing Westlands MP had been widely expected to contest the Nairobi senate seat on an ODM ticket.
He joins his Cabinet colleagues Beth Mugo, Franklin Bett and Joseph Nyagah and Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed in quitting politics.
Mr Gumo’s decision came on the eve of party primaries and on a day scores of MPs were cleared to run for various seats in the March 4 elections.
A number of outgoing MPs were spared the nomination headache because there were no opponents to challenge them in the primaries.
They included Wiper national chairman David Musila who is gunning for the Kitui senator’s seat, Dr Boni Khalwale (senator, Kakamega), Fahim Twaha (senator, Lamu), George Khaniri (senator, Vihiga), Mohammed Affey (senator, Garissa) and Wilbur Otichilo (MP, Emuhaya).
Former Kerio South MP Nicholas Biwott was also cleared to run for the senator’s seat in Elgeyo Marakwet county by his National Vision Party.
Mr Musila, who will battle it out with Jubilee coalition’s Charity Ngilu, said his was not a direct nomination.
“I did not have a competitor. That is why I am unopposed in Wiper,’’ said the Defence assistant Minister.
Violent scenes were witnessed in various parts of the country as parties prepared for today’s primaries.
A police officer was shot and injured as violence rocked Kisumu on Tuesday night following the arrest of an aspirant for the county assembly on an ODM ticket. The aspirant was arrested on allegations of planning chaos during Thursday's exercise.

No comments:

Post a Comment