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It’s not yet Uhuru for most candidates who sailed through their party primaries.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi who both won Jubilee tickets, albeit narrowly, for the August elections, should be ready to face their opposition who have opted to run as independent candidates.
Ng’ang’a was declared the winner after polling 15,880 votes against her closest rival Patrick Wainaina wa Jungle who garnered 14,731 votes. Morris Mburu came third with 3,127 votes.
After disputing the nomination results, Wainaina claimed the primaries did not reflect the will of Thika people. Wainaina announced his resignation from the Jubilee Party and claimed that some powerful individuals manipulated the process.
“I raised my concerns at the party headquarters which included our belief that some returning officers and clerks were seen to be favouring the incumbent. However, even after they promised me that they would reshuffle the returning officers and clerks, nothing happened,” said Wainaina, adding that, “I refuse to concede defeat since the primaries were not free and fair. The people of Thika will have another chance on August 8.” Ng’ang’a has however refuted Wainaina’s claims, saying the process was free and fair.
“He was present when the election materials were being distributed, he even had observers at all polling centres. At what point was the alleged rigging conducted? Every competition must have a winner and a loser. If you lose, don’t say you were rigged, raise clear concerns with the party’s dispute resolution committee,” Ng’ang’a said.
Ngewa Member of County Assembly Karungo wa Thang’wa who was seeking the Jubilee Party ticket for the senatorial seat has also indicated he will go independent, saying the results did not reflect the will of the people.
Senator Kimani Wamatangi was announced the winner of the Jubilee primaries after garnering 206,282 votes against Thang’wa’s 178,814 votes.
Wamatangi has denied the rigging claims, saying the people of Kiambu have spoken clearly.
“I thank the people of Kiambu for showing their faith in me and giving me another opportunity to serve them as their senator. I will diligently work for them,” Wamatangi said after he was declared the winner.
