Inside Politics

Why Kalonzo could be man to watch if Raila wins presidency

Friday, August 12th, 2022 07:00 | By
Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO/ Courtesy
Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO/Courtesy

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka might turn out to be one of the biggest winners if Azimio-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga wins the presidency.

 His party not only almost swept his Ukambani backyard but also won key seats in parts of the country including Taita Taveta, Nairobi, Garissa, Kisii and Kajiado counties. Under the Azimio power arrangement, Kalonzo is lined up to serve as the Chief Minister if Raila wins the presidency.

Going by the voting pattern in Ukambani where Wiper governor, senator and majority MP candidates were poised for victory, it was indicative that his backyard rallied behind Raila. 

Besides Ukambani, Wiper politicians such as Farah Maalim won the Daadab parliamentary seat and three others in Taita Taveta.  Results indicated that Wiper had already secured seats in Wundanyi, Taveta and Voi constituencies.

In Taveta, Wiper’s John Okano was declared MP-elect in the results released by electoral commission Returning Officer Yusuf Mohamed after garnering 18,742 votes, to send incumbent Naomi Shaban parking. Shaban has been MP for 20 years.

Shaban, who conceded defeat on Tuesday, garnered 7,772 votes while Morris Mutiso of the Orange party managed 1,037, according to results released by IEBC.

Okano now says countering “rampant tribalism” in the constituency will be a key priority as he makes a debut in politics.

Considerable number

In Wundanyi, incumbent legislator Danson Mwashako was looking good to retain his seat after commanding an assailable lead over his closest challenger, Simon Mwachia of Jubilee.

Similarly in Voi, Khamis Abdi Chome of Wiper, who had unsuccessfully eyed the seat for the last 25 years was poised to unseat Jones Mlolwa of ODM.

Bobasi MP-elect Innocent Obiri also ran on a Wiper ticket while Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe was leading in the contest for his re-election.  Wiper could also register a considerable number of Members of the County Assembly in Azimio strongholds.

In Ukambani, Kalonzo’s party swept almost all governor, Senate, MP and assembly seats. In Makueni, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr was in the lead against Kibwezi west MP Patrick Musimba in a bid to succeed outgoing Governor Kivutha Kibwana.

In Machakos, voters overwhelmingly elected women in the key positions of governor and Senate. Governor-elect Wavinya Ndeti thanked the electorates for exhibiting confidence in her promise to deliver.

“Thank you for opening up your minds and hearts, and for seeing the possibility of what we can do together for our children and the future of our great county,” Wavinya said.

She floored former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita of Chama Cha Uzalendo to become the first woman governor of Machakos while Agnes Kavindu retained her Senate seat.

In Kitui, former and pioneer Governor Dr Julius Malombe was poised to bounce back after trouncing David Musila of Jubilee. The Kalonzo-led party also took home senatorial seats in the three counties of Makueni (Daniel Maanzo) with Enock Wambua retaining the Kitui seat.

Notably, Wiper bagged 15 of the 22 parliamentary seats. In Machakos, Wiper bagged four out of the eight MP seats.

 In Machakos town constituency, the longest serving lawmaker, Dr Victor Munyaka of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lost to Kiima Kimwe /Muvuti MCA Caleb Mule of Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC). In Mwala, Vincent Musyoka defended his seat on a UDA ticket while city lawyer Fabian Kyule Mule of GGDP trounced Kyengo Katatha of Wiper to secure his second term in Parliament.

An interesting scenario was realised in Masinga after incumbent Joshua Mwalyo, who lost to Eng David Mutuku during Wiper primaries, floored the latter on the ballot to secure his second term as an Independent candidate.

Close challenger

The four remaining constituencies of Mavoko, Kathiani, Matungulu and Yatta were secured by Wiper.

 Patrick Makau of Mavoko, Robert Mbui (Kathiani) and Stephen Mule (Matungulu) won their third terms while a first-timer and youthful Robert Basil took Yatta.

In Makueni, Wiper bagged five of the six constituencies with some incumbents sailing through. They include Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti), Erastus Kivasu (Mbooni), Thaddeus Nzambia (Kilome) and Jessica Mbalu of Kibwezi East.

In Makueni constituency, Susan Kiamba carried the day to succeed Dan Maanzo.

Former Machakos County Chief of Staff Eckomas Mutuse of MCC won Kibwezi West parliamentary seat against his UDA close challenger, James Mbaluka.

In Kitui, Paul Nzengu (Mwingi North), Edith Nyenze (Kitui West), Charles Ngunga (Mwingi West), Gideon Mulyungi (Mwingi Central) and Makali Mulu defended their second terms on a Wiper party ticket.

Nimrod Mbai of Kitui East secured a second term on a UDA ticket while Rachael Nyamai of Kitui South won a third term on a Jubilee ticket.

Kitui rural parliamentary elections were suspended following a mix-up in the printing of ballot papers.

All the three Women Reps successfully defended their seats on a Wiper ticket. They are, Joyce Kasimbi (Machakos), Irene kasalu (Kitui) and Rose Museo of Makueni.

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