In Kenyan political outfits, Political parties tend to play a key role in winning any seat in an election. In 2013, ODM garnered enormous support in Western, Coastal, Eastern, Nairobi and Nyanza region; whereas TNA and URP garnered support in Central and Rift Valley respectively.
Several aspirants always want to plunge in a party that people might like rather than a party that people love to hate. Candidates standing for office are affiliated with political parties which both define a candidate’s ideology and policy position while reflecting a list of issues with which the electorate can identify based upon a political party platform as mirrored in the candidate’s election promises to the public.
Parties and candidates are also political actors that have the potential to be a negative force in the election process. The illegal practices of vote-buying or illegitimate party finance, the proliferation of defamation and hate speech in campaigns, voter intimidation by party workers, corruption in election-related decision-making, and the systematic exclusion of certain sectors of society constitute actions of some particular candidates and political parties.
Focusing on Butere Constituency, an area where sub-tribal politics are vehement; Butere consist of several clans ranging from the Bigger Abamarama, Abatere, Abashisa, Abachenya,Aberecheya and Abashirotsa.
For quite long period of time the Marama community has been seen to produce key leaders including H.E Wycliffe Oparanya and Hon. Toboso.
This sub-tribal politics has made it hard for members in other communities to succeed in any election process. In 2013, Dr Amukowa Anangwe lost the election to Hon Toboso.
The election Process is also associated with God-father endorsement that has made the allies to Hon Oparanya and Hon Raila Odinga successful in any election process.
At least some supporters of the Vermont Governor insist they won’t vote for Hon. Toboso, no matter what. Many people view that the incumbent MP Hon. Toboso has failed the electorates due to the development state of the region. The area has lagged behind on development as compared to the former MP H.E Oparanya regime. Currently, Mumias west of Hon. Washiali has been on the limelight leading the track.
The Key projects that have so far been initiated belong to the County Government. This political twist has given Hon. Tindi a mileage in Butere polls where the residents have vowed to vote for individuals and not political parties.
This comes a moment when Raila Odinga is finding challenges in putting the western vote into one basket. The opposition leader is expected to tour the region as from 5th September 2016.
According, to Hon. Tindi a business man, his dream is to see a stable and developed constituency. A region where people will not depend on subsistence kind of farming or little cash from cane farming but an industrious town where employment to the jobless youth will be his priority.
The renowned businessman has so far initiated several projects including water boreholes, table banking for more than 180 groups in Butere, bursaries to high school and tertiary colleges, contributions to bereaved families and support to young and innovative youths.
On August 2017, Butere will be heading to elections where several candidates have shown interest to the National Assembly position; Hon. Toboso, Hon. Tindi, Mr. Achero Omufuayia, Mr. Charles Matendechere and Mr. Habil Nanjendo.
The seat will be won depending the development record of the candidates of which Mr. Tindi is much ahead than the other.
