Wambui to sue TNA over Othaya parliamentary ticket

By Wainaina Ndung’u and Vitalis Kimutai

Businesswoman Mary Wambui has been denied The National Alliance (TNA) nomination to contest the Othaya parliamentary seat.

Wambui beat Gichuki Mugambi, who had the backing of President Kibaki’s son, Jimmy, in a disputed vote, but unconfirmed report claimed Mugambi was given the ticket. The party however denied.

It emerged her name was omitted from the list of nominees, which the party submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

It is the latest hurdle for Wambui in her quest to succeed President Kibaki as Othaya MP.

Prior to the party primaries, she had to fight off attempts to block herfrom the race by petitioners who argued she lacked academic requirements to contest the parliamentary seat.

The High Court, however, rejected the challenge of her candidature, which included questions on her integrity, saying it was up to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to determine her eligibility.

Late last evening, TNA released a statement saying Wambui won the nomination, but a final decision was pending following an appeal filed by her rival Gichuki Mugambi.

Wambui has vowed to fight back the latest attempt to deny her the chance to have her name on the ballot paper in the March 4 General Election. Tuesday, Wambui vowed to move to court if she is not handed the TNA nomination certificate.

She questioned why Mugambi had been nominated by TNA as the party flag bearer yet she won party primaries and dully issued with an interim nomination certificate.

“I won in broad daylight. The people of Othaya spoke through the ballot and elected me as the TNA flag bearer. I defeated my opponent (Mugambi) and he conceded defeat,” an angry Wambui told a hurriedly convened press conference, last evening in Nairobi.

She added: “I am demanding that the people’s choice be respected. I will move to court to challenge the move if it is not reversed. The voice of the people must prevail.” 

Wambui claimed that powerful people in the corridors of power wanted her out of the Othaya parliamentary race.

She challenged TNA leader and Jubilee Coalition presidential candidate, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, to intervene.

“Uhuru is on record saying that the people’s choice would be respected.  We are appealing to him to ensure that position prevails in this nomination row,” she added.

Wambui alluded to a conspiracy to keep her in the dark over the events.  She said although TNA had not issued her with a certificate, party officials had misled her that her name had been forwarded to IEBC.  She only learnt late last evening that her name had not been registered with the IEBC.

Wambui’s daughter, Winnie Wangui, blamed the President’s son, Jimmy, for allegedly interfering with the nomination. “Jimmy intimidated provincial administrators in Othaya prior to the nomination. Following Mugambi’s defeat, the local DC, OCPD, and OCS have been transferred,” she claimed.

Tuesday, it emerged Government officers serving in Othaya were transferred in what insiders claim was as a result of the nomination debacle. The first casualty was the long serving District Commissioner David Koskei who was moved to Igembe District, while the Othaya DO Hellen Muthoni was transferred to Kabete.

NORMAL TRANSFER

Koskei confirmed that he was required to report to Igembe District in Meru County in Eastern Province. “As far as I am concerned, this is a normal Government transfer and I have nothing to believe otherwise,” said the DC.

There were also reports that the local Police boss, Adiel Nyange, had also been transferred. Mr Nyange, however, said he was yet to receive any communication. “It was claimed that the administrators were working with Wambui during the primaries,” a source claimed.

Wambui tabled documents to prove that a complaint that her rival had launched at party headquarters, over alleged anomalies in the nomination had been dismissed.

IEBC intends to adjudicate and determine all the disputes by Friday, when Wambui’s fate could be sealed if the commission does not rule in her favour.

Wambui won the TNA primaries by garnering 13,050 votes against her challenger’s 10,080.

Mugambi’s name was instead presented as the party nominee for the March 4 vote to succeed President Kibaki, who is retiring after representing the constituency in Parliament since 1975.

An aide of Mugambi confirmed that he had been issued with the TNA certificate. When contacted Tuesday, TNA secretary general Onyango Oloo promised to call back, but he did not.

Protests rocked Othaya Town Tuesday evening, after it emerged that Wambui had been denied the ticket. Angry constituents gathered in President Kibaki’s hometown demanding justice after it emerged that the loser had been given the certificate.

Sealed fate

The protestors threatened to vote for the GNU candidate, Peter King’ara, in the election following the developments. “Where is democracy? We voted for Wambui and we want nothing short of that. It is either her or we would not vote for TNA,” said Benjamin Kahihia, a TNA aspirant for Mahiga ward.

Added the protestor: “There is no reason to deny Wambui the ticket. She is the one we have been interacting with for a long time. Mugambi is rarely seen in this area.”

Since morning, reports had been circulating that TNA may deny the businesswoman the ticket especially after a list of party aspirants for the seat showed Wambui’s name and that of Transport Minister Amos Kimunya (Kipipiri) highlighted, indicating the party was still considering their fate.

Sources said the DC and the DO were victims of the falling out after Wambui win.

Our source said the DC, the DO, and the local police chief were seen as having technically supported Wambui during the primaries.