By ERIC WAINAINA
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta led the campaign for The National Alliance ( TNA) civic candidate in a by-election in Githunguri.
Uhuru, who was accompanied by Water Assistant minister Ferdinand Waititu, William Kabogo (Juja), and Yusuf Hassan, urged Ikinu residents to vote for Ann Nyambura and spare him the shame from his political competitors.
He acknowledged that there was a problem during the nomination, which saw their favourite candidate thrown out and begged the locals to vote Nyambura to make his party stronger.
“I am pleading with you even if you don’t like the candidate, just close your eyes and vote her in and open my basket,” he said.
The seat fell vacant after councillor Ngugi Cimbi flew to America on a Greed Card a year ago.
Nyambura’s main challengers are Anthony Kangethe, who is popular among the youth, on ODM ticket and Sammy Gikima of PNU.
Addressing gatherings at Karia and Ikinu shopping centres, Uhuru called on Central Kenya residents to unite under his party, saying it was the only way to ensure TNA will have a strong leadership when he takes over the presidency.
majority votes
He said in 2007, they supported President Mwai Kibaki under different parties but after he captured the presidency, his leadership had to tackle many challenges since his party had only 40 members of Parliament against ODM’s 110.
Uhuru was forced to make a personal visit to the area following fears that TNA would lose the seat to the other parties.
