Jubilee gives Sakuda a lifeline in Kajiado after five-year hiatus
Former Kajiado West Member of Parliament Moses ole Sakuda is back in politics after he was endorsed by Jubilee for the Senate seat.
His nomination came at the expense of Kajiado Assembly Speaker Johnson Osoi.
Sakuda made history in 2012 when he was elected in a by-election as the first MP under the The National Alliance (TNA), part of the larger Jubilee Party, following a merger of 12 other political groups.
Elected as MP for the larger Kajiado North, he replaced Internal Security minister George Saitoti, but served for only three months before the constituency was split into two, Kajiado North and Kajiado West.
Sakuda opted to vie for Kajiado West MP seat in 2013 General Election and won. In 2017, he lost the Jubilee ticket to George Sunkuiya.
He conceded defeat but vied for the same position as an independent candidate, losing again to Sunkuiya (previously an MCA).
Sakuda, a guitarist, got back to the limelight during the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). He was involved in popularising BBI and was among the co-ordinators who worked closely with Governor Joseph ole Lenku in rallying the community to support the proposed constitutional changes.
Three weeks ago, he launched his bid for the Senate seat in a colourful ceremony attended by prominent leaders from the Maa community, including his allies affiliated to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The occasion was attended and endorsed by Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko.
Jubilee Party’s Deputy Coordinator of Programmes Peter Mositet, the party analysed opinions from the public and established that Sakuda stands a high chance of winning the Senate seat in August. “Besides being an experienced leader, he has a rich history of being vocal during his tenure as MP. He is loyal and trustworthy. He is the best bet,” said Mositet, adding that the party would invest in his candidature to ensure he clinches the seat.
Sakuda will battle it out with the ODM candidate, nominated Senator Judith Pareno, and UDA candidate Seki Kanar.
Both the Jubilee and ODM alignments are complete, with UDA supporters waiting for the next move by Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, who lost the party governorship ticket to Katoo ole Metito (Kajiado South MP).
