TNA losers divide Uhuru Central support base

By Francis Ngige

Kenya: Although logistical concerns were raised in The National Alliance (TNA) nominations in its Central Kenya stronghold, the results have largely been accepted.

But the elections, which have been described as a sham, have given other political parties in the region a lifeline, as most of the TNA losers have defected to them.

The move is likely to anger Jubilee presidential aspirant Uhuru Kenyatta, who has rooted for one strong party to represent the region.

One of Uhuru’s rallying calls has been for the region to unite so that they can get a majority in both Houses and also control the devolved government.

Parliament

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His argument has been that President Kibaki’s presidency was affected by his lack of numbers in Parliament, as most of the MPs were elected in different parties.

“We don’t want a repeat of 2007 where Kibaki was overwhelmingly voted as president but was denied numbers in Parliament. That is very dangerous,” Uhuru had said during his tour of the region.

And with the conclusion of the nominations, Uhuru has to contend with the same headache, as some parties, most of which are supporting his candidature, are fielding candidates in other elective seats.

Sitting on his laurels waiting for the TNA nominations outcome was Mwangi Kiunjuri’s Grand National Union (GNU) and Kiraitu Murungi-led Alliance Party of Kenya (APK).

Nominations

Already, GNU and APK have lined up candidates to contest for various seats in the General Election.

Some of the aspirants apprehensive about the fairness of the TNA nominations chose not to participate in the exercise and instead got direct nomination from the other parties.

GNU, which enjoys support in Nyeri, already has candidates in Othaya and Nyeri town.

In Nyeri town, Duncan Mathenge, who was controversially defeated in PNU nominations in 2007 by Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi, refused to participate in the TNA nominations and instead secured the GNU ticket.

Former Mathira MP Nderitu Gachagua is rolling up his sleeves to battle for the Nyeri governorship on a GNU ticket.

In Mt Kenya East, Kiraitu’s APK is not playing the TNA ball.

The party has fielded candidates in all the elective seats in Meru and Embu counties.

Leading the pack is Kiraitu, who will vie for the Meru senator seat while assistant minister Peter Munya is the APK governor candidate for the county.

President Kibaki’s former aide Geoffrey King’ang’i defected from TNA to APK to vie for the Mbeere South parliamentary seat.

From the onset, there was confusion in TNA nominations, which were pushed forward by a day following the delay in the delivery of election materials.

Big names

It was the same story on the second day, as election materials arrived late at polling centres.

When the nominations were finally done, big names fell by the wayside, paving way for newcomers.

Finance Minister Njeru Githae and at least five MPs from Central Kenya were among the causalities.

Also losing the TNA nominations was Local Government assistant minister Lewis Nguyai.

In Limuru constituency, Peter Mwathi lost to Peter Kiragu.