Kiambaa Jubilee candidates hope for fair primaries
Jubilee Party candidates eyeing the Kiambaa Constituency seat have expressed hope for fair party primaries and by election that is scheduled for July 15.
The candidates cautioned the Jubilee party top brass against interfering with the by election and instead allow the people of Kiambaa to make their own choice.
The seat that fell vacant following the death of Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Koinange has attracted a motley collection of veteran and new politicians.
Those in the race include Charles Munyui, Kari Njama, Damaris Wambui, Raymond Kuria, Njuguna Wanjiku, Lenah Koinange, Lydia Njeri, Eric Mutura and among others.
Lawyer Charles Munyui who is also a governance consultant told PD Online that meritocracy, loyalty to the party and support for the Jubilee government agenda and more so the will of the voters must be what the Jubilee Party must rely on when identifying it's candidate.
"It should be the priority for the party to win the seat and that should be the driving force in ensuring that the party which is our people's favorite political outfit settles on the right candidate," he said.
Kariri said that he expects the nominations to be devoid of rigging, noting that any malpractices will give the ruling party a bad reputation.
The area which is cosmopolitan has diehard President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto's supporters though most aspirants are eyeing the Jubilee ticket.
Early this year, Kariri and Njuguna Wanjiku hosted Ruto who addressed mammoth crowds at Ruaka, Banana and Kawaida.
The Kawaida event saw DP Ruto conducting a funds drive towards Boda Boda Saccos in the area. Rowdy youths temporarily interrupted the exercise before they were dispersed by police with Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa blaming the late Koinange for the same.
The by election has attracted the late MP's relatives Damaris Wambui and Lenah Koinange who is sister of the former MP Paul Koinange.
The duo has split the larger Koinange family vote with Damaris who is a Liaison Officer at the Kiambu County Government enjoying a massive support from the youth.
Interestingly, Lenah is the family's preferred candidate but Damaris maintains that no kin should claim entitlement to the seat.
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Damaris says she has confidence with the party since she has worked with its allies before and that she will be the Jubilee's favourite candidate.
“I have been working with youths, women and the JP from the grassroot to the high levels. I have the trust with the whole process of nomination that we shall be subjected to” she said.
Kuria says that he was laying foundation for not only winning the by-election but also the general election for 2022.
“If I win the seat, I will first complete Koinange’s unfinished projects so that we do not leave people hanging. Then, we do other projects within the short period that we shall have as I aim to go on after the next year’s general election” he said.
