By GERALD GICHURA and GRACE WEKESA
Two former MPs successfully presented their nomination papers to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission in readiness for by-elections.
Mr Maina Kamanda (Starehe) and Reuben Ndolo (Makadara) presented their papers at City Primary School and Kenya Railway Institute on Thursday.
Kamanda, who is a former Sports Minister, said time had come for him to regain his seat after two years of court battles.
He added that the people of Starehe were not interested in parties but rather the individual who would bring about development.
grueling battle
Starehe Constituency Elections Co-ordinator Peter Muigai cleared Kamanda to run for the seat, bringing him to another grueling battle with the immediate former MP, Margaret Wanjiru.
Similarly in the race are David Wakah Ng’ang’a (National Patriotic Party), and Narc-Kenya’s Jackson Mwangi.
And in Makadara, Florence Mocaga of IIEC cleared Mr Ndolo in a vetting, which lasted about 15 minutes.
ODM gave the former MP direct nomination to run on the party ticket to face off with immediate former MP, Dick Wathika, on September 20.
Although the by-election has other six aspirants, Ndolo said Wathika was the candidate to beat next month, but expressed optimism he would win.
He also explained that ODM gave him direct nomination because the party trusted him.
"ODM trusts me and that is the reason I was given a direct nomination," said Ndolo.
He said his campaign strategy is his secret weapon and urged constituents to come out in large numbers to vote. He also called for peace during campaigns.
raised the bar
And speaking after clearing Kamanda, Mr Muigai said the constitutional referendum raised the bar for elections and urged Starehe politicians to take it even higher.
He warned the aspirants IIEC would not take it lightly if they break the electoral code of conduct.
"I sound a strong warning to the politicians that you observe the electoral code of conduct," said Muigai.
Muigai added that the electoral body would conduct free and fair by-elections.
