NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 3 – Leading candidates in Kandara, Garissa Township Constituencies, and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senate races are making their final campaign pitches before the by-elections on Thursday.
All political parties are expected to end their campaigns by 6 pm as the two months rigorous process officially comes to an end.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba have been forced to work extra hard to ensure the ruling United Democratic Alliance retains the Garissa Township Constituency and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senate seat which fall vacant after they resign to join the Cabinet.
The two seasoned politicians have been given a run for their money as UDM led by Mandera Senator Ali Roba seeks to wrestle the Garissa Township seat away from UDA while Independent candidate Timothy Kipchumba and Social Activist Jerotich Seii of Safina are giving Murkomen sleepless nights.
With the official campaign period set to come to an end at 6 pm, Duale who endorsed Major (Rtd) Mohamed Dekow Barrow has pitched camp in the area as they met different groups and communities to drum up support for the former gubernatorial candidate loser, describing him as the best to take over from him.
Roba said that UDM candidate Nasir Mohamed Dolal was the best suited to succeed former area MP Aden Duale who resigned following his appointment as the Defence Cabinet Secretary.
Dolal who is popularly known as ‘Jofle’ by his supporters described himself as the only safe pair of hands that was capable of uniting all communities residing in the cosmopolitan constituency.
Murkomen who is leading UDA campaigns to recapture Elgeyo-Marakwet Senate received a cold reception in some areas as he urged the electorate to vote for UDA’s William Kipsang.
Kipchumba and Seii ditched UDA after they claimed they were rigged out of the party’s nomination exercises.
In Kandara, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Maragua MP Mary Waithira and Muranga County Woman Representative Betty Marina rallied the residents to vote for Chege Njuguna as their next Member of Parliament.
Kang’ata said Njuguna is a vibrant leader who has huge potential and he will be able to deliver to the people of Kandara.
