President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has resorted to handing out State appointments in a last-minute attempt to influence the outcome of Thursday’s by-elections.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi while in the final campaign rallies on Monday issued appointment letters to two UDA aspirants – who lost in the party primaries – in an effort to ramp up support for David Indakwa, the ruling party’s candidate in Malava constituency.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which has traditionally commanded significant backing in Luo Nyanza, also on Monday concluded its heavily-funded campaigns by blaming their broad-based partner – UDA – for campaigning against the party’s candidate, Boyd Were, in the Kasipul by-election.
Hitherto seen as ODM’s safe seat, Kasipul has since slipped into a battleground, with Philip Aroko, an independent candidate, mounting a major challenge against the party. Claims of bungled party nomination have since emerged as some of the mistakes hurting ODM’s campaigns in the area.
Malava, Kasipul and Mbeere North constituencies have become some of the hotly contested seats out of the 24 electoral areas holding elections on Thursday. The battle for the seats has gone beyond the suitability of the individual candidates, morphing into a national test run for 2027.
Mr Mudavadi announced the appointments of Simon Kangwana as an Education Attachee in the Kenyan Mission in Uganda and Rhyan Injendi Malulu as Trade Attachee in the Kenyan Embassy in South Africa. The two had unsuccessfully contested for the UDA ticket, having lost to Mr Indakwa. Mr Indakwa is facing Seth Panyalo of DAP-K.
“The President has kept his word on the UDA aspirants and the development projects currently ongoing in Malava, I ask you to be honourable like you have always been and vote for the UDA candidate,” said Mr Mudavadi.
“An MP from the ruling party easily accesses government services because of proximity to the President and the government functionaries. The late MP Malulu Injendi left you in government, ensure that you stay inside.”
UDA has been camping in the constituency, with Mr Mudavadi seeking to recapture the seat that was held by his now folded Amani National Congress (ANC). The late Malulu Injendi was among seven MPs elected on ANC in the 2022 General Election.
Former Malava Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Mr Malulu garnered 22,891 votes on ANC, beating his closest competitor, Mr Panyako (then UDA) who got 20,133.
In Kasipul, the perception is that the race could go either way after months of grueling campaigns by the two main candidates. The Kasipul seat has attracted 10 candidates, but the race has since narrowed between Mr Were and Mr Aroko.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has been leading ODM machinery in the campaigns that have seen heavy mobilization of resources.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma outburst at the weekend revealed the level of threat 0DM is facing in the constituency. Mr Kaluma accused former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi) and Okoth Obado (Migori) of openly campaigning Mr Aroko. The two leaders are associated with UDA. Mr Kaluma also mentioned Mr Odoyo Owiti, another UDA operative in the county.
“We cannot be in a broad-based government together while the UDA members are campaigning for our opponent. It is confusing our people. I'm asking the President to rein on those people,” Mr Kaluma demanded.
Critics have accused the party of mismanaging nominations, a scenario that saw some of the aspirants jump ship to run as independent candidates. Top party officials were seen to favour Mr Were even before the party held its nominations. Mr Were is seeking to succeed his slain father, Mr Ong’ondo Were.
“ODM does not have a candidate in Kasipul; the candidate wearing ODM colours in Kasipul is a personal candidate of Gladys Wanga, appointed by herself. If they wanted the support of well-meaning leaders, they should have carried out a free and fair nomination exercise,” said Mr Odoyo.
“ODM leadership in Homabay has never embraced the UDA members. When broad-based government began, their first target was me, the man who led the UDA storming the streets of Homabay as ODM watched. Recently, at the women empowerment function in Kasipul, attended by the DP and Interior PS. Gladys Wanga personally supervised as UDA sympathisers, including Dr Raymond Omollo's events coordinator Mr Aggrey Omondi Otore were expelled from the venue by Homabay council Askaris,” he added.
Observers note that the absence of Mr Odinga has also exposed the party’s influence in the region. Mr Odinga was known for his influence of rallying support for the party’s candidates, with his signature lifting of hands carrying major influence on the ballot.
Internal wrangles between Governor Wanga and his deputy, Oyugi Magwanga has also exposed the party’s soft underbelly in the constituency.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (background, left) and her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga (background, right). Foreground: Kasipul by-election candidates Boyd Were (left) and Philip Aroko.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
On Friday while in Wire, West Kamagak, Mr Magwanga argued that the nomination process that identified Boyd as the party’s flagbearer was not free and fair as ODM claimed.
The process was called into question, with allegations of irregularities and manipulation, leading to discontent among some party members.
“There is no law that says that if a leader dies, it is his son who should replace him. I have been told to support Boyd, but I will not,” he said.
The deputy governor said he is concerned about cases of violence in Kasipul, including the destruction of property witnessed during the nomination.
“We all encourage investors to put money in our county. It is unfortunate that rowdy youths stormed a private hospital and destroyed property there,” he said.
Mr Magwanga maintained that the forthcoming by-election should be free and fair. He said no one should interfere with it.
In Mbeere North, Deputy President Kindiki Kithure is facing a major litmus test in a face-off with his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua.
For Prof Kithure, whose rural home lies just 21 kilometers away in Tharaka Nithi, a loss would mean a blow to his credibility as the mountain’s new custodian.
Prof Kindiki is backing the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Muthende, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, is supporting Newton Kariuki, popularly known as Karish of the Democratic Party (DP).
