Thursday, January 10, 2013

Muthama-Kabaka in two-horse race for Machakos Wiper ticket



WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY WAMBUA KAVILA
 
Muthama-Kabaka in two-horse race for Machakos Wiper ticket
BY WAMBUA KAVILA
The Wiper party nominations for the Machakos senator's seat will now pit Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama against law scholar Boniface Kabaka.
Kabaka, who had declared his interest for the seat on a Narc ticket, surprised Machakos residents last week when he declared that he will be seeking Wiper's nomination.
Machakos MPs have declared their support for the university lecturer who has been campaigning for the seat since the constitution was promulgated on August 27, 2010.
"I have a masters degree in law and I am currently pursuing a doctorate. I feel I am the best candidate for the seat because I understand the promulgation of bills and other functions of the senate," Kabaka told a vetting committee at the Machakos Social Hall last week.
However, Muthama responded by saying that lack of a university degree will not hinder his bid for the seat because he has vast experience in politics.
He said he is a self made and successful businessman with international connections who will help propel the county to development.
"I have been in politics for decades having been the vice chairman of the Machakos Kanu branch for many years," Muthama said.
The joint Government Chief Whip is credited for convincing Wiper leader, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, to join Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula to form the Cord coalition.
In the Machakos governor's race, former government spokesman Alfred Mutua will face it off with former Cabinet minister Mutua Katuku and engineer Titus Ndundu for Wiper's ticket.
Others are Youth Affairs assistant minister Wavinya Ndeti, who is eyeing the seat on a Chama cha Uzalendo ticket.
Kalonzo told a Wiper aspirants meeting last Friday that the nominations will adopt a universal suffrage format.
He said voters will only require national IDs to vote.
"It will be like a mini elections and we will be assured that the winner of the nominations will carry the day in the general elections," the VP said.

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