With nine aspirants so far, Juja by-election set to be a battle

The Juja by-election slated for September 20 has so far attracted nine aspirants including the outgoing MP George Thuo who lost the seat in a petition.

This paves the way for a titanic battle which drags in political giants Uhuru Kenyatta, Martha Karua and Peter Kenneth who are supporting different candidates.

The petitioner, William Kabogo, who is a former area MP, has hit the road to rally his supporters. He will seek Narc Kenya party nomination.

Mr Thuo, who was Government Chief Whip, is expected to defend the seat on a PNU ticket.

The seat has also attracted a host of other candidates including newcomers and previous contestants.

But the focus will be on the Party of National Unity on whose ticket Mr Thuo was elected as it faces an acid test during the by-election. He will be to facing former legislator Stephen Ndicho in the nomination

Previously regarded as the party of choice in the area, this time round PNU goes to the by-election from a disadvantaged position. The political landscape has since changed and the PNU-ODM rivalry of the 2007 will not be at play.

Whereas a PNU wave swept the region in 2007, this time voters are likely to choose their representative based on an individual’s capabilities or track record.

The Juja electorate has a history of ignoring political waves and electing a candidate from fringe parties. The constituency is perceived to be highly fluid and may settle for a surprise candidate.

This was manifested in the 2002 polls when Kabogo was first elected on a Sisi Kwa Sisi party ticket, that time overcoming a Narc wave that saw President Kibaki become president.

Another case in point is that of Mr Ndicho who first romped into Parliament on Kenneth Matiba’s Ford Asili in 1992 and then bounced back in 1997 on a Social Democratic Party ticket despite there being a Democratic Party wave in the region at the time. He was later to bow out to Mr Kabogo.

This time, the PNU candidate will be facing opposition mainly from its affiliate parties that had come together in 2007 against coalition partner ODM. They include Narc Kenya, Democratic Party, Safina and Farmers Party which is shopping for a candidate.

David Kigochi, the leader of Farmers Party says the party was preparing a list of candidates to undergo nomination.

Among the new faces in the race is Jackson Kamau Ngoima, a youthful a former key campaigner for Mr Thuo.

The debutant candidate who is a career accountant is banking on support from the youth and the church, his father having been a PCEA moderator before he died in a tragic carjacking in 2001.

Another newcomer who is causing ripples is Francis Munyua Waititu, a farm management consultant who is also a close associate of the Kenyatta family.

He has declared his intention to contest the seat on Chama Cha Mwanchi (CCM) ticket for which he is the national organizing secretary.

Known popularly as “Wakapee”, he is reputed for championing better terms for large-scale coffee farmers in the area and commands a strong grassroots touch. He is well known in Ruiru, Githurai and Juja.

Former Mang’u principal Charles Ng’ang’a Muchai who has contested the seat twice has also declared his candidature. He will be seeking the DP ticket.

The Nairobi-based businessman who lives in Juja Township was one of the founder members of the original FORD party branch.

Dick Maina Githaiga, popularly known as “Dimken”, is also in the race. He has a long history in local politics having been a pioneer and long serving chairman of the Democratic Party founded by President Kibaki in the early 1990s.

The former nominated councillor also contested the seat in 2007 is expected to seek the ODM ticket.

Mary Kirika, an official of the National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK) and one of the two women in the race so far has declared her candidature. She also vied in 2007.

But the person tipped to turn the tables is Alice Wambui Ng’ang’a, the 2007 second runner-up who enjoys the support of Gatanga MP political heavyweight Peter Kenneth.

The youthful Ms Ng’ang’a is likely to spring a surprise as she is viewed by many as compromise candidate and one who is acceptable across the board. 

She vied for the seat in the last general elections, clinching a strong third position. Her stronghold is the densely populated Juja division where she hails from.