2002 Elections
Ford-K Picks Magara Brother
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 00:28
Mr. James Omingo Magara, formerly of the Kenya Revenue Authority, garnered 6,283 votes, while his nearest rival, Mr. Manson Oyongo Nyamweya, got 1,555.
Mr. Paul Omingo Mauti was third with a paltry 344 votes.
The results were announced by Gem MP Joe Donde at the Nyamarambe Town Council Hall at midnight on Sunday.
The various parties' nominees will present their papers to the Electoral Commission today.
There was celebration at the counting hall when the results were announced. The candidates and their agents accepted the results, leading to more song and dance.
The South Mugirango seat fell vacant in October after Mr. Magara's death in a road accident.
The Ford Kenya nominee got 1,098 at the Tabaka Town Council polling station. His opponents got none. At Nyamue, he garnered 1,078 votes against Mr. Nyamweya's seven and Mr. Mauti's three.
Mr. Magara said he will start the campaign immediately, adding that his victory was a Christmas present for South Mugirango constituents. .
He appealed to his opponents in the nomination to support him and ensure "Kanu is defeated" in the January 12 by-election.
"Both of you are my great friends. The forthcoming election will test the strength of the Opposition here. We must win, and ensure Kanu flops," he told the cheering crowd.
Mr. Magara will face Kanu's David Kombo whose nomination has been criticised by a section of the ruling party's followers in the constituency.
They claim Mr. Kombo was handpicked by party headquarters, citing the announcement of his nomination by President Moi during a tour of the neighbouring Kisii District. South Mugirango is in Gucha District.
"Why should the national party chairman (President Moi) hijack the mandate of the South Mugirango electorate? Here is a typical case of the sneaking hand of the Executive in the affairs of local politics," a disgruntled Kanu follower said.
The seat will be hotly contested, with Kanu pulling all its resources in order to prove a point against Nyaribari Chache MP and former Finance Minister Simeon Nyachae, who is backing the Ford Kenya candidate.
Mr. Nyachae enjoys near-fanatical support in the three Kisii districts and whoever he supports is likely to win the parliamentary seat.
Kanu will rely on Cabinet Ministers Sam Ongeri (Health) and Chris Obure (Agriculture). Their efforts will be bolstered by a former Nyachae ally, Bomachoge MP Zephania Nyang'wara.
However, the by-election in South Mugirango will be viewed as a duel between President Moi and Mr. Nyachae.
The Democratic Party has announced that it will throw its weight behind the Ford Kenya candidate.
The other candidates vying for the seat are Mr. Zedekiah Orioki (Labour Party of Kenya), Mr. Peter Mauti (Safina) and Mr. Gilbert Ombasa (Ford-Asili).
