It is 'Kalonzo vs Ruto' in Makueni byelection

It will only be isolation or inroads in Nguu/Masumba ward byelection after IEBC cleared only Wiper Democratic Movement and United Democratic Alliance candidates in the October 14 mini-poll. 

Eshio Mwaiwa will be flying Wiper party flag while Daniel Musau will run on UDA party ticket.

The seat fell vacant as MCA Harris Ngui Musau died in a grisly road accident while plying Mombasa-Nairobi highway on June 15.

Musau, in acknowledging the region was Wiper majority sought to dismiss the dominant party telling it to be ready for a big contest in the upcoming byelections.

“There is nothing like some regions being controlled by certain political parties. We are being elected on the basis of who can help the people. Nguu/Masumba electorates know the person who has been assisting them and that has been announced”, the UDA candidate told The Standard newspaper.

On his part, Wiper’s Mwaiwa said he will prioritize availing clean water to the wananchi, a legacy of the late MCA Ngui.

On July 6, Makueni Speaker Douglas Mbilu declared the Nguu/Masumba ward seat vacant. He then directed the IEBC to hold polls as required by law. “I command you that, due notice being first given, you do cause election to be held according to law of a member to serve in the County Assembly for the said Ward”, said the Makueni County Assembly Speaker.

In March this year, there was witnessed low voter turnout in Kitise/Kithuki byelection which had Governor Kivutha Kibwana’s Muungano candidate Mr Joseph Kioko contest against Wiper Democratic Movement’s Sebastian Muli. Muli later emerged victorious by garnering 3892 votes against Kioko who secured 878 votes.

This time round, Muungano has no candidate in the byelections. Timothy Maneno, an independent candidate, was barred from vying by IEBC for presenting papers which had questionable integrity.

On the fateful night, the deceased was in accompanied by an unknown female passenger. Mukaa sub-county police commander Jacinta Mwarania confirmed that the female passenger sustained serious head injuries before she was rushed to Machakos Level Five Hospital.

Mwarania revealed that the woman who was in her 20s died while receiving treatments at the regional facility and her body was taken to the Machakos Level Five Hospital mortuary.

By MUSYOKA NGUI