Going gets tough for independents facing high costs and bully parties

Mogotio Mp Daniel Tuitoek (centre) with his supporters after addressing the press in Mogotio, Baringo county on April 22, 2022. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

With a month to the General Election, candidates are leaving nothing to chance in the final dash to August 9.

A show of might continues, with some candidates have taken the battle to the skies. Some are traversing wards, constituencies and counties in high-end vehicles while others are holding town hall meetings.

The season has seen candidates sponsored by parties ride on the prominence and brands. However, for independent candidates, it is a real struggle. Mogotio MP Daniel Tuitoek was among those who lost in party primaries. He, however, protested the outcome alleging foul play in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) repeat primaries that favoured his competitor Reuben Kiborek.

In the results, Tuitoek garnered 9,662 votes while Kiborek got 9,469. UDA National Elections Board ordered a repeat of vote. On April 21, Kiborek was declared the UDA candidate, having got 9,861 votes against Tuitoek’s 9,601.

Tough times

Tuitoek chose to defend his seat on an independent ticket. Without a party to ride on, the MP who’s seeking a second term has been traversing Mogotio in bid to woo voters. The journey has not been easy, according to him.

“The other candidates are riding on the brand and the name of their parties. They get a lot of publicity too and as an independent, you have to face the big boys,” said Tuitoek.

His rival Kiborek received the backing of other UDA candidates who have visited the constituency to campaign for him. Among them was Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.

“As independent candidates, we have serious obstacles. For instance, collecting signatures and putting together copies of ID cards isn’t easy,” adds Tuitoek.  

He is riding on his track record as he seeks re-election. “Being an independent candidate means having a campaign office and fully fund your campaigns which ain’t easy,” he said

In Kericho, Soin/Sigowet MP Kipsengeret Koros, who won the seat in 2017, is seeking re-election an independent candidate.

The MP lost the UDA ticket to former MP Justice Kemei. “Voters know that an a leader elected as an independent is equal to the task and could even be better than those elected through political parties,” he said.

Coming from Deputy President William Ruto’s backyard, the independent candidates have been fighting to convince the electorate that they are fully behind the DP’s bid for the presidency.

“We support the Deputy President. He is the king post that holds us together. We ask the residents that when it comes to voting for the other seats other than the presidency, they should consider independent candidates with a proven track record,” said Koros.

Quenas Chepkemoi, an independent senatorial candidate, has also been out and about campaigning despite the odds stacked against her in taking down Senator Aaron Cheruiyot.

Chepkemoi taps on the support of the Bunge La Mwanaichi which holds daily political contests between supporters of various political rivals during sessions held at the town’s Central Business District.

In Belgut constituency, Charles Kiplangat Cheruiyot, a lawyer and a son of former MP Erick Keter, is relying on his father’s legacy to beat UDA ticket holder Nelson Koech, the current area MP.

In Kipkelion East, Joseph Limo is fighting to retain his seat as an independent candidate after Joseph Cherorot beat him to the UDA ticket. Limo had initially conceded defeat to Cherorot but made a U-turn. He has been holding dusk campaigns.

Kericho battle

Two independent candidates for governorship, former Kipkelion MP Samuel Rotich and Isaac Biegon as well as Joseph Kirui of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), have, however, not done much to challenge Dr Erick Mutai, the UDA candidate.

“The UDA party preliminaries were free and fair. No one stole anyone’s votes to force some people to flee from the party and run as independents. UDA flag bearers won the tickets fair and square,” said Justice Kemei.

The Kericho UDA brigade has also relied on political firebrands from outside the county such as Emurua-Dikir MP Johanna Ngeno and his Kapseret counterpart Oscar Sudi to tour the county and push independents to the periphery.

“We have confidence that Kenyans will vote for Ruto to become the next president. Kenya Kwanza will have a lot of job opportunities. Independent candidates, out of respect to Ruto, should bow out of the race and allow UDA ticket holders to easily sail through,” said Sudi in Litein town.

With close to 160,000 registered voters, Naivasha is among the most populous constituencies. 

Among the top candidates are Jane Kihara (UDA), Antony Rebo (ODM), Ndegwa Nguthiru (Jubilee) and former MP John Kihagi (Independent).

Others are Ann Wanjiru Njoki, Henry James Kinyua, Dr Muita John Muthiora (all Independent), Karanja Raymond Mururi (Tujibebe party), Macharia Michael Mwaniki (NARC) and Nyaga Francis Ireri of the National Vision Party.

Kihara, who is seeking a second term, is seen to be a fronrunner. The move by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition to front two candidates (Rebo and Nguthiru) could be a double-aged sword with projections that the two will split the coalition votes. And with a month to go to the elections, the candidates are holding town-hall-meetings to sell their agenda. Kihagi who is seeking to reclaim the seat as an independent candidate recently hosted tens of his supporters in his rural home in Kinamba.

“It’s easier to reach out to youth, women, hawkers, motorcycle groups among others in a home and pass your point rather than roadside meetings,” he said.

Another independent candidate is Dr Muita, who unlike others, campaigns alone in his branded pick-up.

Acting as the DJ and the driver and with booming music, he stops at various corners of the town to address locals. Independent candidates Njoki and Kinyua target peace meetings and church functions to engage the electorate.

According to opinion leader Amos Karanja, the harsh economic times have pushed the candidates to seek alternative ways in seeking votes.

“Long gone are the days of holding public barazas and road meetings. Politicians are now targeting particular groups and hosting them for engagements,” he says.

For businessman Mburu Kamau, an aspirant for the Laikipia governorship, he had hoped to clinch the Jubilee tciket in the nominations. Having lost in the 2012 elections to former governor Joshua Irungu, he opted to give it another try this year.

But his hopes were dashed when the Jubilee failed to hold party nominations and settled on current governor Ndiritu Muriithi.

Campaign expenditure

This forced him to vie as an independent candidate. But the journey to the campaign has not been smooth. Mburu has to finance his campaignsa all alone.

“It was so unfair in the first place by the party to give a direct ticket to the current governor. If the party was fair, they should have let us face each other in party nominations,” he said.

“I am facing the same woes the current governor faced in 2017 due to party decisions. Just like what he did, I will defeat all of them come the elections,” says the businesses.

Mr Mburu says he relies on his own resources and those from friends and well-wishers to finance his campaigns.

“The other candidates are getting funds from their political parties. This has been disadvantageous to us. We have use our own resources,” he said. 

Jubilee party is allied to the Azimio candidate led by Raila Odinga. “I was in Jubilee party which supports Azimio coalition. As an independent candidate who is supporting Raila, I have never been given a chance to address the crowd whenever the top leaders visit” says Mburu.

In Nyandarua County, Senate aspirant Kinyanjui Theuri decided to vie as an independent candidate having lost to 32-year-old John Methu during the UDA party nominations.

He claimed that he was rigged out. He says despite his competitor having an upper hand, voters will decide their fate on August 9.

“The people have already decided who to vote for come to the elections. We will not be cowed by them driving top-of-the-range vehicles and holding rallies everywhere. We are waiting for the big day,” he noted.

“I was in UDA and my support for Ruto is intact. It is only fair that I be given a chance to drum support for him in rallies,” he said.

[Julius Chepkwony, James Munyeki, Nikko Tanui, Anthony Gitonga and Gilbert Kimutai]