The outcome of Thursday’s by-election in Mahoo ward, Taita Taveta County, is likely to signal the coastal region’s political direction ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Campaigns for the seat have narrowed down to a showdown between President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee and his deputy Dr William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The seat fell vacant after the death of MCA Ronald Sagurani in August.
The race has been reduced to a hot contest between the two political parties, with Taveta MP Dr Naomi Shaban leading the Jubilee campaigns and former Governor John Mruttu drumming up support for UDA.
In what is seen as a two-horse race, UDA has fronted Daniel Kimuyu as its candidate while Jubilee, keen to retain the seat, settled on Donald Fundi as its flag-bearer.
The Jubilee campaigns have also enjoyed the backing of the Orange Democratic Movement, which opted not to front a candidate, in solidarity with President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s handshake.
Ms Shaban met the county ODM team in her last-minute bid to solidify votes ahead of the election.
Jubilee chairman Nelson Dzuya also joined her to drum up support for Mr Fundi.
“I urge you to vote for our candidate because he will continue with the projects that were started by the late MCA,” Mr Dzuya said.
He exuded confidence that Mr Fundi would win the election to solidify their political support in Taita Taveta, which is considered a Jubilee stronghold.
MP Shaban urged residents not to gamble with the leadership of the area.
She said Jubilee was still strong and that it would show its might on Thursday.
UDA chairperson Johnstone Muthama addresses voters in Lesesia area in Mahoo ward, Taita Taveta County. The ward’s byelection will be held on Thursday.
“Let us not allow ourselves to make a mistake which we will regret later. I urge you to make the best decision by voting for Mr Fundi,” she said.
For their part, UDA has marshalled its bigwigs led by party chairperson Johnson Muthama and the county team led by Mr Mruttu to spearhead the last-minute efforts to woo voters.
The party has held rallies in Kasokoni, Timbila, Lesesia and Mahoo villages and promised to do everything to capture the seat.
Mr Muthama said they will stop at nothing to ensure that they deliver the seat for the party.
He said Mr Kimuyu is the strongest aspirant in the race and assured residents that it would be an early win for him.
Mr Muthama also drummed up support for the party, saying it is an inclusive political outfit with representatives from all parts of the country.
Jubilee and UDA hope to use the outcome to set the pace for their political campaigns in the coming elections.
The election will also be a testing ground for DP Ruto ahead of the 2022 elections. Mr Ruto has been marketing UDA in the county. He also attended Mr Sagurani’s funeral, which was interrupted by police.
Another aspirant in the race is Samuel Obwoge of the Jibebe party, associated with former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Taveta returning officer Abdul Jamanda said ballot papers and boxes had arrived and will be dispatched to the 14 polling centres on the eve of the polls.
He said all was set for the by-election, where 5,734 voters are expected to take part.
“The training for the clerks was completed and everything is in order. We expect the exercise to run smoothly,” he said. BY DAILY NATION