Kamukunji hopefuls embark on final campaign stretch

By Athman Amran

With only three days to the ballot, aspirants in the Kamukunji by-election are not leaving anything to chance.

Although the campaigns have been low-key in the past one-week, the candidates have embarked on a door-to-door engagement to woo voters.

The campaigns gained vigour this weekend when PNU leaders led by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Internal Security Minister Saitoti, and ODM leader Raila Odinga led campaigns for their candidates.

Kalonzo, Saitoti, Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu are among PNU operatives, who have been on road shows this weekend to drum up support for their candidate Yusuf Hassan ahead of the August 18 by-election.

Raila, with a number of ODM MPs, was also in Kamukunji yesterday to campaign for Ibrahim Ahmed, who has been calling on the constituents to support him.

The campaigns, which began last weekend, have lacked the vigour they had before the by-election, earlier slated for May 23, was stopped.

It was stopped at the last minute following a court injunction obtained by National Vision Party aspirant, Paul Waweru.

Waweru had accused the Interim Independent Electoral Commission of denying him opportunity to submit his nomination papers.

Hassan said the two-months’ break had slowed down mood.

"I have to re-energise the campaign," Hassan told The Standard On Sunday.

He went on: "The by-election is taking place at a difficult time. The price of food, rent, transport and electricity has gone up. We have to try to see how we can help," Hassan said.

And while Ibrahim enjoys the backing of the full ODM combat on the campaign trail, Hassan has had to deal with the absence of two of his key campaigners — Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto. The holy months of Ramadhan has also slowed down the campaign for Hassan and Ibrahim, who as Muslims, are not only obliged to fast during the day, but also to be truthful and honest, which may be a tall order in politics.

"The constituents do not have a representative in Parliament at this critical time in Kenya’s history. Opportunities come with representation," Hassan said.

Other candidates in the race are Brian Weke (Narc-Kenya), Paul Mwangi (National Vision Party), Catherine Muthoni Kihara (GNU), James Matagaro (Kenya Social Congress), David Waihiga (Agano) and Daniel Omao of Ford-People.