Chomba widow to fly Jubilee Party flag in Huruma mini poll
Emmanuel Masinde and Kirera Mwiti
Lucy Chomba and Virginia Wamaitha will be flying the Jubilee Party ticket in the Huruma and Hells Gate wards by-election scheduled for March 4.
Lucy who is the widow to Peter Chomba , won the Jubilee party nominations that took place on Saturday after she garnered 979 votes, followed by Maina Njoroge while Lucy Njambi got 213 votes.
Speaking after being given the Jubilee Party certificate, Lucy said she will complete all the projects that were started by her late husband.
“I want to thank all my supporters for turning up in large numbers. I promise that I will not let you down. I will ensure that I serve all equally whether they voted for me or not,” she said.
Huruma ward seat fell vacant in October last year after Chomba succumbed to breathing complications.
It has attracted more than 10 aspirants from different parties, who have defied a request by Deputy President William Ruto and other leaders to let the widow run unopposed for the seat.
“Sometimes it is good to be human. Those who may be interested in the seat should hold on and allow her to take over for the remaining short period, then they can compete properly in 2022,” Ruto said.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi made the same suggestion and asked possible successors to shelve plans.
In the Hells Gate nominations, Wamaitha garnered 560 votes followed closely by Kiguru Kimani (480) while Felister Cheptum the wife of the late MCA managed to get 194 votes.
Wamaitha will face off with over five other aspirants in the by-election slated for March 4, with United Democratic Alliance candidate and former area MCA Jonathan Warothe among the top-contenders.
While thanking the electorate, Wamaitha said the party was keen to rediscover its lost glory in the by-election. She said that the real campaign had kicked off adding that she was ready to face-off with other candidates for the seat.
“I thank all who turned up despite the low numbers and its time that we supported the ruling party to regain this seat,” she said.
Speaking earlier, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara said that Jubilee was tainted and no one wanted to be associated with it, following the controversial by-elections in Lake View.
