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By-elections: Ruto ministers face uphill task as IEBC clears candidates
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and his Treasury counterpart John Mbadi at a past event.
When President William Ruto appointed new Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) to the broad-based government, they were to help him run his administration and the country at large.
But deep down, it was no brainer that all of them were appointed to score political goals by bringing in former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta’s close allies.
Despite an order by the High Court in June, State officers have been campaigning openly for President Ruto and other aspirants eyeing other seats, defying the directive which held that conducting premature political campaigns outside the election period violates the equality and equal protection under the law, as well as free and fair polls.
Analysts believe that the by-elections slated for November 27 not only serve as a litmus test for Kenya’s electoral preparedness and credibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), but also an opportunity for the "broad-based" CSs to prove their worth to Mr Odinga and President Ruto.
To achieve the wins, every strategy in the book is being deployed by the CSs and senior government officials, from pouring money on the ground to woo voters and negotiating for other candidates to drop their bids in favour of their preferred candidates.
In November, the key by-elections include the Baringo senatorial seat and parliamentary battles in Magarini, Malava, Ugunja, Kasipul, Banisa, and Mbeere North.
In Baringo, where Hanna Wendot Cheptumo was picked as Gender CS following the death of her husband, Senator William Cheptumo, President Ruto went out of his way to ink a deal with Kanu chairman Gideon Moi to avoid a contest in the region.
However, the ruling party candidate, Vincent Chemitei, will still have to battle it out with five other candidates: Benjamin Chebon - The New Democrat (TND), Shadrack Kibet Kaplawat- Alliance for Real Change (ARC), Steve David Kipruto of Republican Liberal Party (RLP), Samuel Letasio of Kenya Moja Movement, and Daniel Kirui of Umoja na Maendeleo.
Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi, earlier this week, finally broke his silence regarding his preferred candidate in the upcoming Ugunja Constituency by-election after the Orange Democratic Movement settled on Moses Omondi to fly its flag.
Others cleared by the IEBC to contest are Erick Ofiro of Jubilee Party, Vincent Olengo of Kenya Moja, Fredrick Ochiel -United Democratic Movement (UDM), Benson Obol of United Green Movement, Chrispine Oduor (Kanu), Dr Maurice Okumu (Federal Party of Kenya), Orodi Odhiambo (Wiper Democratic Front) and Oliver Ochieng who got a nod to fly the National Liberal Party (NLP) to seek the parliamentary seat.
Mr Wandayi’s long-awaited declaration puts to rest weeks of speculation among residents about where his support truly lies.
And when he spoke, it was evident that he had decided to get involved fully in the Ugunja by-election to ensure the ODM candidate wins.
He insisted that despite being appointed a CS, he is still firmly in the Orange Party and is always present when key decisions are being made.
To show how much he is keen to see ODM recapture the seat that fell vacant after his nomination to the cabinet, he insisted that Mr Omondi is the broad-based candidate.
“Moses Omondi is the broad-based candidate for Ugunja parliamentary seat supported by ODM and UDA of President Ruto. I was not around but now I am here because it is my duty to ensure that the broad-based government candidate wins, and wins with a landslide,” said Mr Wandayi.
"Shoe fits him"
He stated that he knows Mr Omondi well, having worked under him, and the best to fit in his shoes. Mr Omondi has been the Ugunja Constituency Manager.
“Moses has to win convincingly and with many votes so that I earn respect back in Nairobi. Do not embarrass me,” said Mr Wandayi.
President Ruto and Mr Odinga have agreed to field a single candidate to avoid political cannibalism that may cost them a seat in the by-elections. This is why they agreed to field only one candidate in Kasipul, Ugunja and Malava.
In Homa Bay, the Kasipul seat pits three front-runners, ODM’s Boyd Were who is facing off with Aroko Philip Nashon and Bior Robert Money both contesting as independent candidates. There are other seven candidates who are also seeking to inherit the seat which was once held by Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was assassinated in Nairobi.
It appears to be a do-or-die, not only for ODM but also Treasury CS John Mbadi who comes from the county to ensure that the broad-based candidate wins.
In Malava, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is hoping to use the by-election to disprove critics that he has no influence in the larger Western Region by delivering the seat.
He is rooting for Mr David Ndakwa of the UDA, who is facing a stiff competition from Mr Seth Panyako of Democratic Action Party of Kenya which is led by former CS Eugene Wamalwa.
Other candidates are Mr Wilberforce Tuvai -Kenya Moja Movement (K1), Mr James Shinachi Angatia - Alliance for Real Change and Mr Edgar Busiega from Rigathi Gachagua’s Party DCP.
The outcome of the by-election will have a major bearing on the political future of Mr Mudavadi.
Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, a former governor of Kakamega, will also be hoping to stamp his authority having influence in Kakamega County where Malava constituency falls.
The biggest battle yet is the Mbeere North parliamentary seat where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former CS Justin Muturi will lock horns with the current DP Prof Kithure Kindiki and Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku.
The seat fell vacant after Mr Ruku was nominated to the cabinet.
For him, he has to prove that the broad-based candidate succeeds him, and a loss in a constituency he was elected would dent his political image. He has been campaigning for the UDA candidate Leonard Muthende for the seat and this has attracted some criticism from the likes of Mr Muturi who alleged the use of state and public resources for political purposes.
“We want to tell you Gachagua, if you are man enough, bring your candidate so that we beat you so you can accept that President Ruto is the president. If you feel you deserve to be president, measure your strength here in Mbeere North and you will realize you are lightweight. You will not see the president campaigning here; it is us who are here to fight you,” said Ruku in a past rally.
Mr Muthende faces an uphill task as he faces Newton Kariuki of the Democratic Party (DP) who is being backed by the United Opposition, Duncan Mbui of Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi, among six other candidates.
Prof Kindiki also knows too well that delivering this seat will boost his confidence and the president will now be assured that he can now influence Mount Kenya East.
In Magarini, Harrison Kombe of ODM is the broad-based candidate after UDA rallied behind him as a way to ensure they win.
Additional reporting by Maureen Ongala
