Bernard Namunane
18 November 2007
Nairobi — Cabinet Minister Morris Dzoro, four assistant ministers and 37 outgoing MPs were among prominent politicians defeated in chaotic party nominations.
But the primaries were mainly an exercise in futility as losers cried foul and promptly defected and obtained nomination from smaller parties. The parties had up to midnight last night to complete the nominations according to Electoral Commission of Kenya rules but, by time of going to press, there was still confusion and unresolved results.
Assistant Ministers Kembi Gitura, Muchiri Gachara, Mrs Alicen Chelaite, former Government Chief Whip Norman Nyagah and outgoing MPs Chris Murungaru, Prof Wangari Maathai and Joseph Kamotho were among those who lost in the nominations.
There were scenes of conflicting emotions at ODM and PNU headquarters - tears and celebrations - as the winners happily sought their nomination certificates while the losers lodged complaints that must be sorted out by Wednesday next week.
Both parties have set up appeals committees to deal with the cases.
The nominations, which started on Friday and were still going on in some areas yesterday, were marred by violence in which several people were injured. There were claims of rigging, lack of voting material and disorganisation in most of the parts of the country.
Admitted to hospital
Yesterday Mr Laban Shitekha, the ODM returning officer in Ikolomani constituency, was admitted to hospital after he was beaten up during the nominations.
The high electoral mortality among outgoing MPs is probably a mark of the distrust that voters had for the Ninth Parliament.
Voters in Nyanza were the most ruthless, voting out 10 of the outgoing MPs. Among those felled in the ODM nominations were Mr Adhu Awiti (Karachuonyo), Ken Nyagudi (Kisumu Town West), Mr Gor Sunguh (Kisumu Town East), Mr Owino Likowa (Migori), Mr Ochillo Ayacko (Rongo), Mr Odhiambo Omamba (Uriri), and Mr Paddy Ahenda (Kasipul Kabondo).
Others were Mr Ochola Ogur (Nyatike), Mr Eric Nyamunga (Nyando) and Mr Sammy Weya (Alego Usonga).
Mudavadi allies
In Western, outgoing MPs Andrew Ligale (Vihiga) and George Khaniri (Hamisi), both close allies of ODM presidential running mate Musalia Mudavadi, failed to secure party tickets. Others who also lost were Mr Wycliffe Osundwa (Mumias), Mr Julius Arunga (Khwisero) and Dr Christine Mango (Butula).
In Rift Valley, ODM members rejected outgoing MPs Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Noah arap Too (Ainamoi), John Koech (Chepalungu), David Koros (Eldoret South) and Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria). In Nairobi's Kasarani, they voted out outgoing MP William Omondi.
PNU members gave the thumbs down to the architect of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Mr Karue Muriuki (Ol Kalou).
Other outgoing MPs denied tickets are Mr Waithaka Mwangi (Kinangop), Mr Alfred Nderitu (Mwea), Mr Davies Nakitare (Saboti), Mr Maoka Maore (Ntonyiri), Mr Kariuki Mirugi (Nakuru Town), Mr William Kabogo (Juja), Mr Francis Kagwima (Tharaka) and Mr P.G. Mureithi (Nyeri Town).
ODM-K members voted out three outgoing MPs -- Mr Patrice Ivuti (Kitui South), Mr Daudi Mwanzia (Machakos) and Mr Moffat Maitha -- while Kanu members in Sotik voted out Mr Anthony Kimetto.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
