By Francis Ngige

With The National Alliance (TNA) expected to use the September 17 by-elections to test its popularity, the Kangema race is interesting to watch, as majority aspirants are keen on the party ticket.

Already, 11 aspirants have come out to fight for the TNA ticket even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) set August 15, as the deadline for political parties to hold nominations.

The by-election occasioned by the death of former Environment Minister John Michuki will be done alongside those of Kajiado North and Ndhiwa, whose MPs George Saitoti and Orwa Ojode died in a plane crash on June 10.

As a result of the intensive scramble for its ticket, TNA officials have started drawing up strategies to ensure there would be differences once the nomination is done.

Brain storming

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who is understood to have a keen interest on the seat, has already summoned the aspirants for brain storming ahead of the nominations.

Before his death, Michuki, a fiery politician, was rooting for Uhuru as the best bet to replace President Kibaki. Whether his wish will hold sway remains to be seen.

The Kangema by-election is billed as a popularity contest between Uhuru and fellow presidential aspirant from central Kenya, Peter Kenneth.

Being in Kenneth’s backyard of Murang’a, Uhuru would be keen to use the poll to demonstrate his political muscle.

His aides say Uhuru wants to work on a formula where all the nomination losers will support the winner.

“He (Uhuru) has already spoken to them on the need to remain united even after the nominations. He wants them to participate in a free and fair nominations,” said an ally.

Fears of massive falling out have been rife with aspirants claiming some local powerbrokers were keen on interfering with the TNA nominations.

Early last week, TNA officials led by Secretary-General Onyango Oloo were dispatched to the area to diffuse growing tension among aspirants.

Onyango met the aspirants and declared TNA had no favourite for the seat. “We want to assure all aspirants that TNA will hold free and fair nominations. There is nothing like a favourite candidate. It is the voters who will decide,” said Oloo.

Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Jamleck Kamau, MPs Ferdinand Waititu (Embakasi), Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), and John Mututho (Naivasha) were also in the meeting.

Oloo dismissed claims the Kangema race would be a popularity contest between Uhuru and Kenneth.

“We don’t think it will be a supremacy battle between Uhuru and other aspirants in Mt Kenya region. The poll will present an opportunity for the party to test its strength. Uhuru is a national leader and our priority as TNA is to win the seats up for grabs,” the official told The Standard On Sunday. Some of the aspirants have claimed that Kamau, who is the only Cabinet minister in Murang’a, was interfering with the nomination.

“We are telling him to keep off the constituency since he wants to influence the process,” said an aspirant.

The hopeful said if TNA will not reign on outsiders meddling in the local politics, the party would be in for a surprise in the by-elections.

“It will be like what happened in the last elections when PNU imposed certain candidates who eventually lost. The scenario is likely to repeat itself,” he warned.

Kamau, however, denied the allegations. The Kigumo MP said he was only interested in ensuring fairness in the TNA nominations. “The people of Kangema are free to vote in their next MP. There is no candidate who is being favoured,” said the minister.

Those who have shown interest in the seat include Muturi Kigano, Sam Gatitu, Kimani Mugo, Anne Wangari Kirima, Tiras Ngahu and Duncan Githiga. Others are Samson Kaguma, Andrew Kiragu, Simon Mwangi, John Gathogo and Njuguna Mwangi.

Although Kenneth, who has been rooting for the Kenya National Congress (KNC) has not indicated if the party will take part in the by-election, there is likelihood the party will not miss out.  

Recently, while indicating KNC may field a candidate in the by-election, Kenneth said should anyone express interest, the party would offer support.

“If there is anyone who wants to run on a KNC ticket, we will give them clearance and the support,” Kenneth told a meeting at Kahatia in Kiharu constituency.