Mathare candidates spell out agenda ahead of election contest tomorrow

Mathare, Kenya: Mathare constituency’s 8,053 registered voters have a date with the ballot tomorrow.

They will troop to the constituency’s 115 polling centres to elect another MP in a by-election that could be a game-changer in Nairobi politics.

In tomorrow’s contest, George Wanjohi (TNA), who is defending his seat, and Steve Kariuki (ODM), whose petition led to the nullification of the former’s win, will face off with seven other candidates.

The Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) postponed the election from August 7 to tomorrow to allow the ninth candidate, former Kasarani MP William Omondi, to vie following a court directive.

Unlike other candidates who were cleared a month ago, Omondi was cleared by the IEBC on Tuesday afternoon, only six days to voting day.

The other six candidates are Barack Obat Blasto (Independent Candidate), Billian Okoth Ojiwa (National Labour Party), Crispus Fwamba Nyangangali (Maendeleo Democratic Party), Mariam Muthoni Macharia (Independent Candidate), Nixon Kavai Inziria (Independent Candidate), and Sammy Jentruo Mudanya of the Progressive Party of Kenya.

IEBC Returning Officer Joseph Masindet told The Standard on Sunday that 115 Presiding officers, 115 deputy presiding officers and 460 clerks had been hired. “We will also have two police officers manning each of the 115 polling stations. So far, everything is smooth and we are finally set for the by-election,” added Masindet.

The candidates have been holding rallies, door-to-door campaigns and meetings with various groups.

Omondi believes that despite his late entry, he has what it takes to turn tables on his competitors, and says none of rivals has the right networks and experience.

The height of the campaigns was when President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto visted Mathare to drum up support for Wanjohi even as CORD leader Raila Odinga and co-principals Moses Wetang'ula and Kalonzo Musyoka led their brigade in campaigning for Kariuki.

Political analysts says party strength, voter turn-out and ethnic arithmetic are likely to decide the winner in this contest expected to be too close to call. The Standard on Sunday, however, sought to establish views of each of the candidates ahead of tomorrow's contest.

Steve Kariuki - ODM

He has portrayed himself as a young but visionary leader. He says there are lack of opportunities for Mathare people because the leadership is not people-oriented. He has pledged to transform the lives of Mathare voters.

 

Kariuki, who believes leadership comes from God, says if elected, he will devolve the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to the ward level for efficiency.

His campaigns have been boosted by rallies attended by CORD co-principals, and the stewardship of Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero who chaired his campaign team committee.

Kariuki also banks on the supporters of his mother, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, through her political and religious networks.

George Wanjohi - TNA

Wanjohi, boosted by the Jubilee machinery, has chances of retaining his seat.

He has, however, complained that postponing the poll from August 7 to 11 had interfered with logistics and escalated campaign costs.

His strength is that he has in the past served as a councillor in the area for three terms apart from being the immediate former MP.

His campaigns have also been boosted by presence of  Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, battle-hardened Starehe MP Maina Kamanda and TNA chairman, nominated MP Johnson Sakaja  among others.

Fwamba NC Fwamba - Maendeleo Democratic Party

He says he has the full support of the Luhya community. Fwamba wants to help change the fortunes of youth and women in Mathare through economic empowerment.

Muthoni Macharia - Independent candidate

She promises to fight insecurity, reduce poverty through creation of job opportunities in projects such as car-washing and garbage collection. Muthoni also wants to improve the economic and spiritual well-being of residents.

Barack Obat Blasto – Independent Candidate

He served as a councillor before and contested a parliamentary seat in the 1997 election. He says he wants to improve infrastructure.

Obat says his record in Mathare speaks for itself having been a leader and a businessman in the area for many years.

William Omondi – Independent candidate

He says he is not daunted by the fact that he was cleared six days to voting by IEBC. “I was the MP of neighbouring Kasarani constituency. Kasarani and Mathare share similar challenges and I have the best network to turn tables against my rivals. Its no longer a two-horse race between ODM and TNA, but a three-horse race.”

Omondi says if elected, he intends to ease ethnic tension in Mathare.

 

Billiam Okoth - National Labour Party

He says as a former student in Mathare, he has insight of what local children go through in pursuit of education. Therefore, his priority will be to improve the quality of education in the largely informal settlements. Okoth runs an education foundation in the constituency.

Sammy Jentruo Mudanya – Progressive Party of Kenya.

He says the people of Mathare have in the past elected politicians who hoodwink them with handouts and disappear after being elected.

“Mathare people require food, shelter and security. I am going to focus on security by creating jobs for idle youths to draw them away from criminal activities,” said Mudanya.

He has urged Mathare voters to receive handouts from his competitors but vote with their conscience because  it is their lives at stake.