Aspirants raise concerns over endorsements by party bigwigs

Nakuru Town West aspiring MP Victor Ngatia (center) flanked by other aspirants contesting various seats addressing the press in Nakuru on February 7, 2022.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Aspirants from various political parties have raised concerns over alleged deliberate attempts by political top guns to impose party nominees.

Speaking at a forum for political hopefuls in Nakuru, Ezekiel Kamau, an activist who also convened the meeting, said endorsements witnessed during the rallies were a threat to democracy and likely to deny the county best leaders.

“The big boys in politics have been seen endorsing certain candidates despite their parties having other people interested in the same seats. It is clear there is no level ground for all,” said Mr Kamau. 

The seats that have sparked debate in Nakuru County include gubernatorial and senatorial posts, for which various coalitions have endorsed particular candidates.

Azimio la Umoja movement, which is led by ODM leader Raila Odinga, has on several occasions endorsed Governor Lee Kinyanjui for a second term, but is yet to reveal its preferred candidate for the senator seat.

Leaders in the Kenya Kwanza alliance, under Deputy President William Ruto, are on the other hand endorsing Senator Susan Kihika to face Mr Kinyanjui.

They have also endorsed Keroche Breweries boss for Senate on a UDA ticket despite over five other candidates being in the same race and present during the rallies in Nakuru and Naivasha.

“There is no point in the parties asking for nomination fees from aspirants when they have predetermined candidates. That is not the democracy our past leaders fought for,” said Elijah Karanja, a gubernatorial aspirant. 

Victor Ngatia, a parliamentary aspirant, took issue with the parties allowing their elected members to interfere with the politics of counties beyond their jurisdiction before party primaries.

Unfair

“It is unfair for leaders from other counties to attend political meetings here and interfere with local politics,” said Ngatia.

Assumpta Wangui, another aspirant, said such endorsement by those with the power of incumbency was a pointer to skewed nominations and likely to make good leaders keep off.

“Some of us are life members of our political parties and have heavily campaigned for them. We feel undermined when leaders holding similar positions from other counties endorse other candidates at party meetings,” said Ms Wangui. 

Paul Laboso, who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat, said the endorsements amounted to intimidation to the rest of the candidates to pull out of the race in favour of “project candidates”.

“If we smell sinister motives within the parties, we shall not wait until the end. We shall give them space for their projects and shift to being independent candidates,” said Mr Laboso.