By Stephen Makabila

Some MPs  from across political divide will have the challenge of fitting into bigger political profiles of those they have replaced.

Among those with such challenges are new MPs for Gatundu South, Eldoret North (Turbo), Langata (Kibra), Mwingi North, Kitui Central, Othaya, and Gichugu.

These constituencies have for decades known same personalities as MPs, some who went for higher national offices in the March 4 General Election.

The question remains whether they would fit in the ‘big shoes’ of their predecessors.

While some are seasoned politicians who have in the past been making unsuccessful bids, some are coming to the arena for the first time.

“Whether these new MPs are going to match their immediate predecessors largely depend on their style of leadership and how they will address priority issues in their constituencies. There have to re-assure the masses that there is no vacuum in local leadership,” said Communications lecture Masibo Lumala of Moi University.

In Gatundu South, the new MPis Joseph Ngugi Nyumu of TNA, who replaces president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta. Nyumu could find solace in the fact that the person he has replaced would be sworn-in as President on Tuesday, a move that would see him benefit from his counsel.

Othaya seat

Mary Wambui of TNA won the Othaya parliamentary seat, replacing retiring President Kibaki, who had represented the area for decades.

Wambui won the seat after a tense race with President Kibaki’s preferred successor, James Gichuki Mugambi.

Wambui garnered 16,285 votes against city lawyer Peter King’ara’s 14,218 and Mugambi’s 10,972.

It was sweet victory for Wambui who has had to bear the humiliation of being denied access to presidential functions in Othaya.

In Kitui Central, Makali Mulu of the Wiper Democratic Movement is the new MP, replacing Water Minister Charity Ngilu who had held it for over two decades.

 Ngilu had earlier opted for the presidency before shelving her ambition to go for the Kitui Senate, which she lost. Mulu, who is the WDM chairman in Kitui Central constituency, and a close ally of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, says he is out to open a new chapter in the area’s development.

“Ngilu promoted micro-development, but I will go for macro-development to benefit a wider population. I also want to end the culture of hand-outs she had promoted,” noted Mulu.

In Mwingi North, John Munuve of Wiper replaced Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka as MP.

Kalonzo, who was a presidential running mate in CORD, made his debut in politics in 1985, when he won a by-election in Kitui North constituency, now Mwingi North.

Munuve says he will complete projects Kalonzo started and focus on management and further development.

“Of course fitting in his shoes is a problem because of the big positions held in the Government, but I will prioritise leverage of resources and management development,” added Munuve who is the former chief executive officer, the NGO Council.

He is equally not a political greenhorn, having ran twice and lost to Kalonzo in 2002 and 2007.

After the split of Eldoret North, the home constituency of Deputy President-elect William Ruto, Turbo is now his home constituency.

The MP for Turbo is Elisha Busienei of URP, who had earlier been a civic leader.

He will have the challenge of matching Ruto’s charisma and eloquency, apart from his remarkable development record.

CORD presidential candidate, Prime Minister (PM) Raila Odinga’s Langata constituency, was also split, creating a constituency, Kibra, where he used to draw most of his support. The MP for Kibra is Ken Okoth. In Gatanga, Eagle Coalition presidential candidate Peter Kenneth had represented the area since 1992, but with his graduation to higher level politics, the new MP is Humphrey Njuguna of Narc.

After representing Gichugu constituency for over two decades, Narc-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua opted for president.

Karua’s name had become synonymous with the constituency, but now residents have a new MP in Njogu Barua of TNA.

Barua will have a rough time trying to match Karua’s style of abrasive politics and national visibility, despite her presidential bid not having been impressive in terms of harvested votes.

Other constituencies with long- serving former MPs who will not be in the Eleventh Parliament include Tinderet (formerly held by ODM chairman and minister Henry Kosgey), and Narok North under Heritage minister William ole Ntimama.