Four aspirants in support of local vetting

By Joseph Masha

Four aspirants for governor of Kilifi County have supported plans by civil society to vet leaders seeking elective positions.

The aspirants, Gabriel Katana of Kadu Asili, Mwachiro Chenje of TNA, John Lenga of ODM, and Leno Mbaga, an independent candidate, said the aspirants have to be vetted for voters to make informed decisions.

Lenga said leaders should consider the people’s wellbeing. “Kilifi County needs to get leaders who are people-driven and not those who come to contest for the seats for their own gains,” he said.

Last December the committee appointed to vet the aspirants was officially sworn in.

The panelists led by Dr Halmu Shauri, a senior lecturer at Pwani University, said they had received a list of about 30 leaders seeking governor, senate and women representative seats in the county.

Shauri said at least ten governor candidates including Cabinet minister Amason Kingi and Assistant Minister for Immigration Francis Baya had shown interest.

Ten senate aspirants including former Industrial Court judge Stewart Madzayo and former deputy managing director of Kenya Airports Authority Ms Naomi Sidi have also supported the idea.

According to him, the panelists have instructed all the aspirants to forward their CVs to the team to help them in the vetting process.