Newcomer defeats Kabando Wa Kabando in Mukurwe-ini

Jubilee's Anthony Gathiaka Kiai is the MP-elect for Mukurwe-ini Constituency in Nyeri County after defeating incumbent Kabando Wa Kabando who vied as an independent candidate. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kiai polled 24,535 votes on a Jubilee Party ticket.
  • Mr Kabando who vied as an independent was second with 10,799 votes.
  • He lost in the Jubilee Party nominations to Mr Kiai.

Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando Wa Kabando has lost his seat to newcomer Anthony Gathiaka Kiai in the parliamentary elections.

According to provisional results by IEBC Mr Kabando (independent), who was also a member of President Kenyatta's strategic campaign team, garnered 10,799 votes while Mr Kiai polled 24,535 votes on a Jubilee Party ticket.

A Nairobi businessman Kinaniri Waroe got 6,643 votes to settle for the third position.

The area has four county assembly wards – Gikondi, Rugi, Mukurwe-ini Central and Mukurwe-ini West with 55,310 registered voters.

Mr Kabando was seeking to serve for the third term in the National Assembly as an independent candidate after losing in the Jubilee nominations to Mr Kiai.

Other candidates in the race included Kamau Julius Wambugu of Maendeleo Chap Chap, Kamuruci Benjamin Kaburi of PNU, Paul Kimunyi (independent), Ngari Robert Njoroge of Democratic Party, Peter Ndagitari Karimi Ndirangu of Narc Kenya and Waroe David Mwangi Kinaniri (independent).

PRIORITIES

After he was declared the winner, the 49-year-old Nairobi based lawyer said he will prioritise on uplifting academic performance in local schools and sports activities.

"Internet inter-connectivity is poor in this area. I am planning to increase coverage of fibre optic cables," said Mr Kiai.

He also vowed to complete development projects and programmes started by Mr Kabando, such as the renovation of schools.

"There is no personal grudge and I respect him since he is also my friend. I am inviting all my opponents to join hands with me for the growth and development of our constituency," said Mr Kiai.

He was accompanied by the newly elected Rugi MCA Cyrus Ngure Kagwi.

The lawyer now becomes the seventh MP to serve the constituency since it was established 1969.

The first MP was Mwai Koigi of Kanu, Henry Clement Wariithi (1974-1983), Ngumbu Njururi Maiyani (1983-1992), David Muhika Mutahi of Democratic Party (1992-2002), Mutahi Kagwe of Narc (2002-2007) and Mr Kabando who has been MP since 2007.