D-Day for JAP and Waititu as Kabete constituency voters go to the polls

JAP candidate Ferdinand Waititu

It is D-Day for the newly created Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) and its candidate Ferdinand Waititu as voters in Kabete go to the polls to elect their MP.

The by-election occasioned by the death of immediate former MP George Muchai presents the new party a chance to redeem itself after it was whitewashed in the Kajiado Central by-election. On the other hand, the mini-polls present Waititu, who lost his bid to be Nairobi's governor in the last General Election a perfect landing and return to competitive politics.

But even as the voters troop to the polling stations, it will not be an easy ride for Waititu, as all the nine aspirants in the race have expressed confidence in winning.

Speaking at the ACK Kabete church yesterday where he had attended a church service, Waititu said he was confident of winning the race after a vigorous campaign for the last one month. The former Embakasi MP said his development record speaks for itself and he was determined to replicate it if elected as the next Kabete legislator.

He added that immediately after winning the race, he will start issuing bursary cheques to students, then fix roads, which he termed as a big issue in the area, end alcoholism, light up Wangige town and work with law enforcers to reduce insecurity in the area.

The JAP candidate said he was upbeat ABOUT carrying the day as he is running on a JAP ticket, noting that it was popular in the region and that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto would use it as their vehicle to seek re-election for a second term.

John Wamagata, who is running on a Safina ticket, also expressed optimism. "I expect to win, based on an opinion poll done by a youth groups 'dubbed Kabete youth forum'. Also, matatu operators of all routes in the constituency conducted a meeting and endorsed me for the seat," he told The Standard.

"Teachers too have endorsed me for the seat," added the human rights activist.

Wilson Karanja of ODM told The Standard he also had high hopes of carrying the day. The 31-year-old businessman added he understands half of the population are small traders yet they face high taxation by the Kiambu County Government.

The former employee of the Kikuyu Town Council noted that he would engage the county government to lower the rates, as this would create a good environment for business to thrive in the region.

PARTY POLITICS

Isaiah Ndirangu, a businessman in Kabete and Nairobi, said he had engaged 45,000 voters in Kabete constituency during his campaign period and they had given him hopes of winning the race.

Ndirangu, who is running on a Party of Democratic Unity ticket, told The Standard the people of Kabete had promised him they would vote for one of their own, who understands their issues.

"I have talked to the indigenous people of Kabete who have now realised they have able leaders among themselves. People should therefore expect surprises tomorrow when the results are announced," said Ndirangu.

Kavore Kariuki, a lecturer who is running on a Narc Kenya party ticket, urged the people of Kabete to vote for manifesto and not parties. "Since this is a by-election, they will think about party politics in 2017," he said.

"This time round, we are looking for a leader who will lead his people to the Promised Land and handle the issues that Kabete people face with courage," added Kavore.

Newton Njenga, an accountant running on a National Vision Party ticket is also optimistic that his time to lead the people of Kabete has finally come, "This is the perfect time for me to lead my people. Having been born and bred in Kabete, I am ready to serve my people," said Njenga.

Interestingly, only two aspirants are registered voters in the constituency: Kiriro wa Ngugi of Democratic Party and Njenga. The rest will not be allowed to cast their ballot but they are legible to be elected.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Kabete Returning Officer Esther Wanjiku, while briefing the media at Wangige Primary School, yesterday said all plans have been finalised in readiness for today.

Ms Wanjiku said all the 33 polling stations will be opened at 6am and closed at 5pm but voters who will still be in the queue will be allowed to vote. The constituency has 62,470 voters and 92 streams.

She said two armed police officers have been deployed at every polling centre and 20 officers at the Wangige Primary School tallying centre.