DP William Ruto listens to Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi as Rigathi Gachagua looks on at ACK Church, Kabete. [George Njunge, Standard]

The rivalry among Kenya Kwanza alliance candidates in Kiambu is derailing their campaigns.

Over the past few weeks, candidates have openly differed threatening the unity of the alliance.

Due to the infighting, William Kabogo, one of the Kenya Kwanza alliance candidates, has been conducting campaigns alone under his Tujibebe party.

The other candidates are Kimani Wamatangi of UDA and Gatundu North MP Moses Kuria of Chama Cha Kazi.

Kabogo and Kuria have attacked Wamatangi for allegedly being behind their being sidelined.

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Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi. [David Njaaga, Standard]

 

On June 15 during a rally in Kiambu West, Kabogo and Wamatangi engaged in a public spat to the surprise of supporters and UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua.

Trouble started when Wamatangi was invited to address the crowd. The Kiambu senator was, however, interrupted by Kabogo who dared him to a fight. It took Rigathi's intervention to calm down the two politicians.

On Saturday, the simmering tensions among the politicians played out yet again when Kuria chided Wamatangi for arriving at the tail end of the rallies in Ruaka.

And Kuria was not done with his tirade against Wamatangi. On his Facebook page he wrote: “This earth is hard I have been on campaign trail with Sen Wamatangi for 11 hours today, not once did he ask people to vote for William Ruto."

Political pundits in Kiambu believe the feuding will give Jubilee candidate James Nyoro an upper hand.

Tujibebe Wakenya Party leader William Kabogo. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Karanja Muchai, a UDA stalwart, said the rivalry is not healthy for the alliance.

“People are watching these ugly scenarios and I can tell you they are not happy, this washing of dirty linen now and then is painting us in bad light. Many people may opt to go for the less combative candidate in Kiambu who is the incumbent,” noted Muchai. 

They are showing immaturity in public, Muchai said.

According to Muchai, Kenya Kwanza will split their votes with independent Patrick Wainaina going with a slice, while those of Jubilee will remain intact. “It is a disaster for our coalition if things will not be tamed early,” he added.