Nairobi — PNU is expected to meet this morning to deliberate on how to recapture Matuga and win over South Mugirango seats after high court elections nullified the 2007 elections results for the two constituencies.

Fearful that the Matuga seat might fall to ODM, PNU leaders want to mark their territory early to avoid what befell their party in Bomachoge constituency, when PNU's Joel Onyancha lost to ODM's Simon Ogari.

Yesterday PNU Vice-chairman and Nominated MP George Nyamweya and the party's executive director Jasper Nyaboga confirmed the meeting.

"Yes, the top organ of the party meets tomorrow (today), to deliberate on crucial issues and the Matuga situation will top the agenda. We have been planning for the South Mugirango by-election but now we will be looking at two seats," said Nyamweya.

Nyamweya noted that they will back former Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, whose election was nullified by the high court last week.

"There is no doubt that we are backing our brother Mwakwere. We will be looking at matters financial. As much as the decision as to who will represent Matuga lies within the hands of the people on the ground, we will do all in our power, to ensure PNU recaptures the Matuga seat," said Nyamweya Nyaboga said despite the setback, Mwakwere remains Vice chairman of PNU in charge of resource mobilization, until the next party elections.

Nyaboga said that the meeting, which will be attended by chairman George Saitoti, Secretary General Kiraitu Murungi, and elections officials and vice chairmen, will discuss budgetary allocations for the Matuga and South Mugirango's forthcoming by-election in areas perceived to be ODM's "The meeting will focus on the two impending by-elections in South Mugirango and Matuga," noted Jasper.

As parties strategise to re take Matuga and South Mugirango, candidates have hit the ground campaigning.

In Matuga, the battle will be between Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM candidate, who will be scrambling to win less than 400 votes, which were disputed in court. In 2007, Mwakwere got 8,638, while the ODM candidate got 8,328.

Before Justice Ibrahim gave his verdict on Mwakwere, intense lobbying was going on in Matuga.

Although majority of voters in Matuga want the Ministerial position to remain in Kwale's Digo land, The Giriama fraternity who make up majority members of the Mijikenda clan, are also eyeing it with their candidate being Kanu's Kazungu Kambi who is a PNU loyalist and a close ally of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

Gonzi Rai, is a level headed politician and a gifted orator, who was elected on a Ford People ticket twice despite the Narc and ODM waves that hit the Coast in 2002 and 2007 respectively, proving his popularity in Kwale and across the Mijikenda divide. Rai has said he will campaign for Mwakwere's reelection.

Garsen MP Danson Mungatana, (Narc Kenya) would have been the top candidate to take up the ministerial position, but his recent resignation and decision to remain in Narc Kenya and not PNU, will not play well for him.

Mwakwere's long time political foe, Hassan Mwanyoha, who has been eyeing the Matuga seat since 2002, began meeting delegates in earnest, to prepare a 'winning formulae'.

Already, political activities in Matuga have increased, with both candidates sending out their foot soldiers, mainly loyal councilors and women groups, to set the stage for the forthcoming by-election, which will take place within 60 days after Speaker of the national assembly declares the seat vacant.

In Matuga's total of 13 wards, Mwakwere's strong holds include Golini, Mwalugamba, Mkongani, Mangawani, Lukore and the Kamba dominated Shimba Hills.

Mwanyoha on the other side, boasts of densely populated areas of Ng'ombeni, Waa and Tiwi which are known to be ODM zones.

Analysts say Mwakwere had been prepared for a possible loss in court long ago, and has as a result, 'has been closer to the people and also trying to reach out to voters in areas where he has not been received well in the past.

Councilor Salim Mwasaria, a close ally of Mwakwere, told the Star yesterday: "We appreciate and are much aware that most areas in Matuga are ODM zones.

However, the orange party must be strategic and careful in the choice of candidate they go for." At the weekend, Mwakwere was in his Ziwani home turf, receiving and talking to his local supporters who included PNU councilors, as Mwanyoha met with ODM delegates for the better part of last Saturday night to celebrate and strategize ahead of the face off.

In South Mugirango, there were calls to nominate ODM treasurer Omingo Magara directly instead of going through grassroot exercise (see separate story on page 9).

Assistant minister James Gesami yesterday joined calls for former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara to be given direct ODM nomination in the impending by election.

"Magara being a senior ODM official should not be subjected to a nomination with busybodies," he told the Star in Kisii town.

Cabinet Minister Najib Balala has led calls for Magara to be given direct nomination but already five people have declared their intention to challenge him in the nominations.

Those who want to oppose Magara in ODM are; Henry Nyabuto Ogeto, Gideon Moreka, Zebedeo Nyaboga, Rosemary Obara, Ombasa Apepo and Ibrahim Ochoi.

The contenders want a free and fair nomination held saying giving Magara direct nomination will cost the party the seat.

"ODM should be democratic and allow the people of South Mugirango to choose an ODM candidate. Any attempt to interfere with the nominations will cost the party dearly," Moreka said in an interview.

Speaking at a public function recently Magara said he was ready for the party nominations. "I'm welcoming other aspirants on board and I will floor you during the nominations," Magara said.

Others in the race are Manson Nyamweya (Ford People), David Kombo (ODM K), Rashid Miyonga (PNU), Dr Ezekiel Okemwa, Master Ondara, Mauti Sagwe, and Kisii lawyer David Mogunde.