Political party leaders in Kenya have stepped up campaigns ahead of two crucial by-elections which are expected to provide a test of the popularity of the parties in the grand coalition.

The Shinyalu and Bomachoge by-elections, scheduled for August 27, will also be the first major challenge for the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).

Shinyalu is expected to provide pointers on which party holds sway with voters in the vote-rich Western Province. Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale, New Ford-Kenya leader, and Kaddu’s Cyrus Jirongo have campaigned actively for their candidates. ODM was the strongest party in the region in the last General Election and deputy party leader Musalia Mudavadi will be keen to demonstrate that the region firmly supports ODM.

Major parties

Other major parties that are fielding candidates are PNU, Ford Kenya and Narc-Kenya.

Those who were cleared by the IIEC to contest the seat, which fell vacant after the death of MP Charles Lugano in May, are ODM’s Justus Kizito Mugali, Kaddu’s Daniel Khamasi, Patrick Chungani of PNU and Geoffrey Segero of Ford-K.

Others who got the green light to run for the seat are Babetuu Amutavi of New Ford-K, Patrick Ingoi Ayisi of Narc-K, Silas Andega of New Vision Party, Jenipher Shamalla of United Democratic Movement (UDM), Gershom Machanja of Aford-K, Ambrose Lusuli of Kanu and Christopher Milimo Masitia of Ford-P.

One candidate whose name will not be on the ballot paper is Samuel Yabwetsa Muhati, who was disqualified by the IIEC for allegedly flouting electoral law by not resigning his teaching job before going for the seat. Mr Muhati has contested this claim, saying he had quit his job before kicking off his bid for the seat.

In Bomachoge, another major battle looms as parties fight for supremacy. Among the candidates are Joel Onyancha (PNU), Simon Ogari (ODM) and Albert Nyaundi (Ford-P). Ford-P leaders have criticised Mr Onyancha for decamping from the party “unceremoniously”. Led by former Planning minister Henry Obwocha, they have been actively campaigning for Nyaundi.

Others in the race are civil society activist Cyprian Nyamwamu of Safina, Zephaniah Nyangw’ara of UDM and James Ombasa of Narc-K.

In the race

Kenda’s Credius Oigara, Ontiri Machana of New Democrats, Lugard Obondi of Kaddu, Seth Adams Mabeya of Kenya Social Congress and Ezekiel Mirera of Ford-K are also in the race.

Two candidates were locked out from contesting in Bomachoge after they failed to meet teh IIEC requirements. The returning officer Thomas Ingolo said the two failed to meet the IIEC criteria before the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.

Ferdinand Obure, a former MP for Bomachoge vying on The Independent Party (Tip) presented his papers on Monday but was not cleared after his party failed to surrender specimen signatures to IIEC to be checked with the ones appended on the nomination certificate.

Another contender, Prof Zadock Abel Ogutu, was knocked out of the race after the commission said he presented a forged voter’s card to the returning officer. He has since been charged in court with the offence, which he has denied.

Campaigns officially kicked off on August 5 and are expected to run up to August 25.

Voting patterns

Clan politics is expected to play a major role in determining voting patterns. The giant clan, Bokione, has two candidates: Mr Ogari and Mr Onyancha.

Narc-K leader Martha Karua and other party officials have also been working hard to market their candidate, Mr Ombasa, who is from the smallest clan, Bombaba. Voters from other clans criticise Mr Onynacha for failure to equitably share government resources among the people of the constituency.

Mr Onyancha sent tongues wagging after ditching Ford People – the party that is associated with the Kisii community – for PNU.
however remains a formidable contender for the seat which he occupied until his election was nullified last year following a petition.

Mr Ogari is also seen as a strong candidate and has pulled impressive crowds on the campaign trail. But turning these crowds into votes will be his challenge.Mr Nyaundi, an engineer, is running on the platform of job creation. He has been telling constituents that he will use his international connections to secure jobs for the youth.