2002 Elections
Kitutu Masaba - Ford-P wave could sweep out
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 09:50
But the chairman-general and sole MP of the Kenya Social Congress over the past 10 years faces an uphill task this time round.
There is the Ford People wave sweeping the Abagusii districts, coupled with Mr Anyona's fractured relations with the party's presidential candidate Simeon Nyachae, once a close ally.
Mr Anyona's transformation from a fiery government critic and fighter for human rights and democracy to a defender of the Moi regime, has left his once fervent supporters confused.
His poor health over the past year or so and the frequent stays in hospital have severely limited his activity on the campaign trail.
But Mr Anyona, choosing a door-to-door campaign strategy over large public rallies, is confident that he will retain the seat. With two stints in detention without trial, a long enforced exile from active politics and a marathon sedition trial behind him, Mr Anyona is an anti-establishment icon in Kenyan politics.
Since recapturing the Kitutu Masaba seat in 1992 after an 18-year hiatus, Mr Anyona has moderated his style of politics. He made his mark in both the seventh and eight Parliaments as one of the most skilful legislators.
He played a key role in the initiatives that bridged the gap between Kanu and the Opposition, which ultimately gave birth to the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.
But he also alienated himself from his opposition colleagues by moving too close to the ruling party and he is bound to feel the heat in his constituency where anti-Kanu sentiments hold sway.
His seven challengers are Mr Samson Nyang'au Okioma of Ford-P, Mr Ezekiel Angwenyi of Narc and Mr Evans Ongwenyi Mirieri of Kanu.
Others are his old rival Mr Walter Nyambati of the National Labour Party, Mr Timothy Bosire of the Social Democratic Party, Mr Andrew Ondieki of Ford Asili and Mr Jared Onyari of the Labour Party of Kenya.
Mr Anyona has always enjoyed unrivalled backing from his Banyamondo clan while also attracting strong support across clan lines. But the fallout from the controversial Ford-P nominations has brought about an upsurge of clan divisions.
Mr Bosire might be capable of rallying the support of the big Bagetutu clan, who feel that their man was cheated out of the ticket. Mr Angwenyi, a former government economist, also comes from the same clan and maintains that Mr Nyachae remains his favourite presidential candidate.
"While I still root for Mr Nyachae for President, he should stay clear of the parliamentary races. If he interferes, candidates in other parties will automatically campaign against him and deny him the vital presidential vote, he warns.
By virtue of the Ford-P ticket, Mr Okioma might be seen as the frontrunner, although much will depend on the level of cross-voting.
Mr Anyona should not be counted out as he might even win some sympathy votes. A shrewd campaigner, he has in the past three months been driving around the constituency donating building materials and power generators to schools and other institutions.
"I have decided to purchase goods and materials rather than contribute cash, which corrupts management committees," he said recently while giving donations to three secondary schools at Omogonchoro.
