Vote to end series of drama in search of Mutula Kilonzo successor

By EMMANUEL WERE

MAKUENI; KENYA: On Friday, Makueni go to polls to elect a new senator, ending the controversy that stalked the Wiper party’s candidate whose genesis can be traced three months ago.

The intrigues finally saw the nomination of Mutula Kilonzo Jnr who seeks to fill a seat that fell vacant after the sudden death of his father.

The public got endeared to Mutula Jnr’s sister Kethi Kilonzo when she starred during the Supreme Court hearing in March, where CORD filed a petition challenging the results of the March 4 presidential elections.

The 36-year-old petite lawyer appeared on behalf of Africa Centre for Open Governance (AfriCOG), which was also challenged the results.

She was calm personified during the proceedings before the Supreme Court. The CORD and AfriCOG lost the petition, but Kethi won the hearts of the public.

When Mutula Kilonzo, her dad and then senator for Makueni died on April 27, Kethi was seen as the natural heir to the seat before a drama began to unfold as both Jubilee and CORD coalitions sought to have her as their candidate.

Kethi settled to vie on the Wiper party, which is a member of the CORD in early June.

The electoral commission (IEBC) cleared her on June 27, but days after, her candidature was dealt a blow when IEBC dispute resolution tribunal ruled she was not a registered voter and her name could not be traced in any of the master register.

Several questions were raised. Did Kethi really register as a voter? Were there any underhand tactics as claimed by CORD to rule her out?

The CORD moved to the High Court to challenge the tribunal’s decision, but on July 19, the court upheld it. This is when Wiper opted for Mutula Jnr, to replace Kethi candidacy.

His maiden entry into politics will see him take on seasoned politician John Harun Mwau who will run on Pick ticket and Prof Philip Kaloki who will fly the Narc flag. Other candidates in the contest are Jane Wavinya Kitundu of LPK and independent candidate Urbanus Katumo.