Kenya: Anxiety is building up in Kajiado Central constituency as prospective candidates line up to succeed Interior Security Cabinet Secretary-designate Maj-Gen (rt) Joseph Kisaine Nkaissery.
So far, three people, including losers in the last election, have declared their interest in the seat Nkaissery has held since 2002.
Anxiety is even higher given that President Kenyatta took Nkaissery from the Opposition. He was the only CORD MP in Kajiado County, which has five constituencies.
Those who have expressed interest are Simon Peter ole Nkeri, Memusi Kanchori and Patrick Tutui.
Others likely to be in the race are John Loisa; a close associate of Nkaissery and the chairman of the CDF kitty, Anthony Kiroken; a Kenya Wildlife Service pilot, Samwel Seki who is currently working at the Narok County government, Ali Letura; a Kajiado County Executive in-charge of lands and Dr John Leina.
As is typical in 'local politics' throughout the country, clanism is expected to play a significant role in the by-election, whose date is yet to be announced.
The constituency is made up four clans: Kankere, Purko, Ildamat and Matapato, in addition to a high presence of non-Maasais. Party affiliation is not expected to impact on the final outcome, with main actors being ODM and Jubilee.
Nkaissery was an ODM MP, who is now going to serve a Jubilee government. Wiper Democratic chairman Kajiado branch Solomon Kinyanjui and Joseph ole Simel who contested the Kajiado West parliamentary seat during the last General Election, said they would support whoever will be nominated by the Jubilee to contest the seat.
''This is a good gesture by President Kenyatta to nominate another person from Kajiado to head the Internal Security docket. This is an indication that he has a lot of trust in the people of Kajiado. We must therefore thank him by supporting a person from his party,'' said Kinyanjui.
Speaking during a deliberation meeting with some of the proposed candidates willing to contest on the TNA ticket, Chief Executive officer Joseph Maathai said the party will not favour anyone in the nominations.
The Kajiado county branch secretary-general Mr Leiyan ole Roimen dared CORD to field a candidate to test its popularity in the region.
It is worth noting that immediately after Nkaissery's nomination was approved by Parliament, a section of Kajiado leaders associated with the CORD alliance came to the defence of the president.
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