Othaya parliamentary battle to renew rivalry between protagonists

DP candidate Peter King’ara and his rival for the Othaya seat, TNA’s Mary Wambui during a meeting at IEBC offices in Othaya on April 2.  [PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY / STANDARD]

By Francis Ngige and Wainaina Ndung’u

Kenya: In the absence of former President Mwai Kibaki’s hand, the Othaya parliamentary battle may be less interesting, but it will renew the rivalry between two protagonists who fought it out in the last election.

With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission having cleared the way, politician Mary Wambui will be battling it out with her archrival Peter King’ara.

The two were cleared among three other candidates to fight in the April 29 by-election occasioned by a petition successfully argued by King’ara. Kibaki’s preferred successor Mugambi Gichuki pulled out of the race last minute presenting the platform for Wambui and King’ara to test their mettle in the political ring one more time.

And in what is shaping up to be a closely fought battle between the two, they are already flexing their muscle and going by what happened during presentation of nomination papers last Tuesday, then polls will be tight.

In a show of might, they arrived at Othaya CDF hall with hundreds of supporters in tow; but it is Wambui who stole the show with a convoy of more than 30 vehicles and a retinue of 15 MPs.

Earnest campaigns

Campaigns have started in earnest and pundits are convinced that it will be a two-horse race between Wambui and King’ara.

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Kibaki’s hand will be missing in the Othaya parliamentary politics as he has characteristically chosen to take a back seat.

The former President has not been seen in the constituency since the seat was declared vacant unlike in the last election when he pitched tent there campaigning for Mugambi.

Wambui was cleared to vie on The National Alliance (TNA) ticket while King’ara got the nod through Democratic Party (DP) having shifted from the Grand National Union (GNU).

Mugambi’s move and that of former President Kibaki advisor Esau Kioni to keep off the by-election presents Wambui and King’ara an opportunity to reap from the areas where they least enjoyed support in the last election.

Barring any surprises, Wambui begins the race as the favourite since she enjoys support from a cross section of national political leaders.

Apart from her TNA party bigwigs who have promised to camp in the constituency to ensure she returns to Parliament, some members of the Opposition are also backing her candidature.

When she presented her papers before Othaya Returning Officer James Mbai, Wambui was accompanied by a group of MPs and party officials who said they would not rest until she returns to Parliament.

The politician also enjoys formidable grassroots support and easily identifies with villagers.

King’ara would be relying on the voter turnout in his strongholds. He enjoys an advantage since he comes from the same area with Mugambi, who is no longer in the race.

Mugambi opted out of the race after he allegedly failed to convince the TNA top command to agree to a fresh and competitive nomination exercise in which he would have opposed the former MP.

King’ara is popular among urban dwellers of Othaya town, but he is often regarded as elite and flamboyant among the rural folks, an attribute that may work against him.

Inflame a protest

Othaya Constituency had 46,793 registered voters though only 39,982 cast valid votes. Wambui got 14,652 votes; Peter King’ara had 13,510 and Mugambi Gichuki 10,640 votes.

The other four candidates shared 1,180 votes.

Othaya has four wards — Mahiga, Iria-ini, Karima and Chinga. Mahiga is the home of Wambui and Kioni.

Other prominent persons from the area include Gibson Kamau Kuria, Justice Lee Muthoga and Kenya Roads Board director Isaac Mutonya. In March 2013 figures, Mahiga had 11,655 registered votes. Last year 9,100 voters cast their ballots in the area in the MP contest.

Wambui grabbed 6,285, King’ara 921 Mugambi 1,228 while others took 666 votes.

Here, Wambui has a good reputation, having helped recruit youths into the army, police and teachers’ colleges during the Kibaki presidency. She is expected to sweep the vote again. Chinga is the homeground of King’ara. There are 11,822 registered voters and vote cast was 10,973.

Here Wambui managed only 823, King’ara: 7,347 and Mugambi: 2,653. The others, combined, had 150. This area is King’ara’s for the taking.

Iria-ini is the home of Kibaki and where Wambui claims she is married. Registered voters are 14,822 (the highest in Othaya).

Valid votes in 2013 were 12,378, with Wambui topping with 4,921 followed by Mugambi with 4,415, King’ara 2,833 and others 209.

Karima is the Eastern ward of Othaya neighbouring Mukuruwe-ini. The area had the lowest number of registered voters and for some reason decided to share them equally among the three top candidates, with Wambui slightly ahead.

Registered voters were 8,953 and 7,531 cast valid ballots. Wambui garnered 2,623, King’ara 2,409, Mugambi 2,344 and others 155.

With Mugambi out of the race, it is apparent the battleground will be in Karima and Iria-Ini. Whoever runs away with vote-rich Iria-Ini ward is likely to have a head-start in the race. Statistics aside, the race between Wambui and King’ara promises to be an interesting one.

Although the former MP has been exuding confidence that she will get the support of her former parliamentary colleagues, some observers claim she has equal potential of ruining her electability.

“Visiting politicians are unlikely to understand or pay attention to local sensitivities and could easily inflame a protest vote against the former MP,” says a prominent Othaya Development Association member, who confesses he is silently backing Wambui.

Interestingly, both candidates have been keeping a low profile, choosing to conduct their groundwork away from the limelight.