Battle for Thika Town seat hots up as IEBC clears rivals

Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a addressing journalists on June 1, 2017 after she was cleared by IEBC to defend her seat in the August elections. She said she is confident of retaining her seat. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ms Ng'ang'a thanked the IEBC team for clearing her fast despite a little network delay.
  • Wainaina Jungle, said he was happy to have finally been given the green light to contest.
  • He said he will not relent on the development projects he has initiated in the county.

The Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Thursday cleared two candidates for the Thika Town Constituency seat.

Incumbent MP Alice Ng'ang'a who won the Jubilee Party ticket to defend her seat was first to be cleared by the commission followed by her fiercest rival, businessman Patrick Wainaina Jungle, who is seeking to replace her as an independent candidate.

In the Jubilee nominations, Ms Ng'ang'a garnered 15,880 votes against Mr Wainaina's 14,731 to emerge the winner.

After the loss Mr Wainaina left the Jubilee Party and announced he would vie for the seat as an independent candidate, saying that the primaries were not free and fair.

Speaking Thursday in Thika after she was cleared Ms Ng'ang'a thanked the IEBC team for clearing her fast despite a little network delay.

She said she is now set to start her campaigns.

"The Wi-Fi went down for a few moments but it later worked. I finally have my certificate, I am now free to campaign," she said.

Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a receives her nomination certificate on June 1, 2017. She is defending her seat on a Jubilee ticket. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

PEACEFUL CAMPAIGNS

She called on all candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns.

"I shall conduct door to door campaigns but before then I want to stress that after August 8, Thika shall remain here. Let us learn to respect each other because at the end of the day, the final decision shall be made by Wanjiku," said Ms Ng’ang’a.

Her rival, Wainaina Jungle, said he was happy to have finally been given the green light to contest the Thika Town parliamentary seat.

He promised to conduct peaceful campaigns and bring transformational leadership to the area if elected.

"This is a very important document. It means I have been nominated as an independent candidate to contest for Thika's seat. I want to tell Thika residents that at this point their focus should not be on who has been nominated under which party but instead focus on individuals and what they have shown to have the ability to deliver," he said.

Thika businessman Patrick Wainaina Jungle (in green cap) receives his IEBC nomination certificate on June 1, 2017. He is vying for the Thika Town parliamentary seat as an independent. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The candidate, whose slogan is “Hapa kazi tu”, said he will not relent on the development projects he has initiated in the constituency despite the hurdles he has faced with some of his rival's supporters attempting to stop him.

"Last week a group of my rival's supporters pelted stones [on] some of the workers I had employed to develop a road in Makongeni and in the process breaking the hand of one of them. He is now recuperating in hospital. My question is, is this the kind of leadership we want?" he posed.

Supporters of independent candidate Patrick Wainaina Jungle during campaigns in Thika Town on June 1, 2017. Jungle is facing incumbent MP Alice Ng'ang'a, among others, in the August elections. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

REPORT INCIDENTS

Thika constituency's returning officer, Mr Geoffrey Gitobu, said all candidates are free to do development projects in the constituency without interference by their opponents and called on all candidates to report such incidents to the commission and the area authorities for appropriate action to be taken.

"We are calling on all candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns. In case they spot one of their opponents going against the set code of conduct they should notify the police and us and have appropriate evidence with them for action.

“We are going to collaborate with the area security heads to ensure that campaigns and elections in the constituency are smooth," said Mr Gitobu.

Others eyeing the Thika Town seat are Ms Angela Musili (ODM) and Mr George Murito Gathecha (Chap Chap).

The two will present their nomination papers Friday for clearance by IEBC.