Harvest time for small parties as nominations near

Muranga Governor Mwangi wa Iria at General Ihura stadium after he addressed his members in December 2021. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

Differences in major political parties are turning out to be a blessing in disguise for smaller outfits that are receiving more aspirants amid fears of rigging during primaries.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, who is the Usawa Kwa Wote presidential aspirant, for instance, said the party has been receiving hopefuls on a daily basis from Azimio la Umoja and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the nominations date draws nearer.

He said the party will field more than 20 governor aspirants and 100 for Parliament on August 9.

Usawa Party, he explained, will field governor aspirants in Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Kajiado counties.

“In our strategy, we are expecting 1,000 parliamentary aspirants and over 1,000 MCA hopefuls,” said Iria yesterday.

The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri also said his party will not follow others blindly and be forced to join pre-election coalitions.

Kiunjuri, who is holding meetings with party supporters and aspirants, said they will not be forced to enter coalitions that do not work but will be determined to chart their destiny.

“The party is structured to last even after the election and the aspirants should work towards winning the August 9 polls. The party members should study their manifestos,” he said.

Kiunjuri said TSP has a strong foundation backed by members, which will enable it to hold its own.

Kiunjuri, who was speaking in Gilgil in Nakuru County, said TSP is campaigning for aspirants countrywide.

Other political parties holding meetings in the region are Chama Cha Kazi and The Farmers Party.

Azimio la Umoja and UDA are also holding strategic meetings with aspirants to reduce fallouts ahead of the upcoming nominations. There are also fears that some favoured candidates will be given direct tickets.