Moses Njagi, Boniface Gikandi And Joseph Murimi
20 November 2007
Nairobi — Former central Kenya MPs who lost in the PNU nominations are back to the drawing board.
Though many have jumped ship and joined parties affiliated to PNU or have expressed support for President Kibaki's re-election, the move could backfire if past experience is anything to go by.
In the region, the ticket of the dominant party is as good as a win in the General Election. The former MPs who lost in PNU must repackage themselves to attract the voters who rejected them.
The defections of former MPs, Dr Chris Murungaru, Prof Wangari Maathai, Mr PG Mureithi, Mr Joseph Kamotho, Mr Joshua Toro and Mr Matere Keriri, among others, after losing the PNU nominations could, therefore, be attempts in futility.
The resounding defeat for some, notably Kibaki allies Murungaru and Keriri, is an indication of the tall order they face in an attempt to reverse their political fortunes.
Murungaru who fell to long time political foe, Mr Nemesyus Warugongo, declared the nominations a sham. He will contest the election on a Narc-Kenya ticket.
Public Works Assistant minister, Mr Joshua Toro was by Monday still looking for a vehicle to deliver him to the December 27 polls.
Former Kiharu MP, Mr Kembi Gitura is in a fix after he was humbled out of PNU nomination by Mr Ngenye Kariuki, and is yet to announce his new political party.
In Mathioya, Mr Esau Kioni joined immediate former MP Mr Joseph Kamotho to secure a safe landing in DP. Another Mathioya aspirant Mr Frank Karuri is yet to disclose his new party after he was bundled out of Safina after Kamotho declared interest.
Nobel Laureate, Prof Wangari Maathai has decamped from PNU back to her Mazingira Green Party of Kenya after she lost the nomination.
Immediate former Ntonyiri MP Mr Maoka Maore claimed he had been rigged out of the PNU nominations and had now secured a Kanu ticket to contest the same seat.
In 2002, former MPs who lost in the Narc nominations joined other parties but they were defeated at the ballot.
Newcomer, Mr Nderitu Gachagua, beat Mr Matu Wamae, who lost in Narc and joined Safina. He got 15,000 votes to Gachagua's 33,000 votes.
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