Tough contest as CNN woos home turf to back his re-election bid

As the August 9th General elections beckon, politicians are on top gear to entice voters to back their election or even re-election bids into various elective positions. 

The contest in Mwingi West parliamentary seat is seemingly becoming hotter by day as contestants traverse the vast and vote-rich constituency to seek votes.
The seat has attracted more than 10 candidates according to the information gazetted by the electoral body IEBC.
But even as the race looks congested, two contestants are seen to have paced ahead of the park.  These according to investigations by MWINGI TIMES are the incumbent Charles Nguna Ngusya popularly known as CNN and former Kitui County minister Patrick Koki Musau alias Kuvasila.
Unlike the rest of the contestants, notably former area MP Bernard Kitungi and former Kyome Thaana MCA Alex Wambua Mwangangi, the duo has staged a zealous campaign that has left the majority of the constituents supporting either side.
CNN is banking on the advantage of incumbency and his five-year development record to retain the seat.  On the other hand, Kuvasila, a witty and humorous politician who is not new to controversy is said to have deep pockets. The man from Kavaliani has lost the seat twice; in 2013 and 2017 both times emerging second.

Shedding off the loser tag
While the former governor Ngilu's point man is keen on shedding off the loser tag, his top rival is focused to retain the seat by all means. Kuvasila has on his side the who-is- who including the Mbondoni mafia who allegedly determine who becomes the MP for Mwingi West.

CNN on his part has lined up a group of well-known political speakers to amplify his re-election prayers.
This week the incumbent who is vying on a Wiper Democratic Movement party ticket took his campaigns to his backyard of Kiomo/Kyethani ward where on Tuesday he pitched tent at Kakongo market located at the lower parts of the ward overlooking neighbouring Mbeere South in Embu County just across River Tana.
In a more than five-hour campaign rally, the youthful lawmaker wooed the locals to re-elect him even as he came in handy with a bunch of goodies for the vote-rich polling station. As he sought for an overwhelming support from the area, he brought along some development projects which left the locals all smiles. Among them was the launch of grinding of the dilapidated Kakongo-Musonoke road which has been an eyesore to the locals. Others were issuance of NG-CDF cheques of KSh 0.5 million and KSh 2.5 million to Kakongo and Mulata Utunda primary schools respectively.
"Re-elect me so that I can continue serving you. The much we have done in the last four years outmatches even what was done by my predecessors," Nguna said even as he pledged to bring more development if he will be re-elected on August 9.
He called on politicians to campaign peacefully even as he distanced himself with chaos witnessed at the area months ago pitting his supporters against those of his political nemesis Kuvasila.

STORY BY MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT