Factors likely to tilt hotly contested by-election in diverse Malindi

CORd Leader Raila Odinga (2ndright) flanked by Kalonzo Musyoka (3rd right) and Moses Wetangula (right) and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (2nd left) and several Cord Politicians at Ngala grounds, Malindi in Kilifi County on Monday, 08th February,2016. The Leaders were holding a public rally to drum support after their ODM candidate for Malindi by-election Willy Mtengo was cleared by IEBC. [PHOTO:MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

The outcome of the Malindi by-election slated for March 7 will be determined by several unique factors. One is recent sacking of National Oil Corporation managing director Sumayya Athumani, a native of Malindi from the marginalised Bajuni tribe. CORD is using the dismissal of Malindi-born Sumayya to counter Jubilee’s onslaught of goodies including the recent appointment of Dan Kazungu to the Cabinet to woo voters.

“Jubilee government would only accommodate you if you are corrupt. They have sacked a young, professional and hardworking girl from here (Malindi),” said CORD’s principal Raila Odinga last week as he campaigned for ODM’s candidate Willy Mtengo.