Top contestants retreat to home bases for support   

Political big wigs have retreated to campaign for their candidates at their home bases in an effort to reinforce their bargaining power in coalitions.

Deputy President William Ruto and his running-mate Rigathi Gachagua pitched tent in the South and North Rift turf where they made a strong case for the election of United Democratic Alliance candidates.

Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula campaigned in Western Kenya where they rallied support for Ford Kenya and Amani National Congress aspirants. 

On his part, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been active in drumming up support for party aspirants in Ukambani, Kajiado, Upper Eastern, Nairobi and at the Coast.  

Campaigning in Vihiga yesterday, Musalia put-up a spirited fight to ensure party wins almost all the majority of political seats in Vihiga county.

 “ANC will win majority of the seats in Vihiga county. I have a strong team of candidates with high potential of winning various seats. I have Beatrice Adagala for Women Rep, Enos Butiko for senate, Alfred Agoi for governor, Charles Gimose for Hamisi, Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya), Dr. Emmanuel Ayodi (Sabatia) and Ernest Ogesi for Vihiga,” he said.

Mudavadi who addressed rallies in Vihiga and Kakamega asked his home base not to embarrass him and called on them to reject candidates from other parties.

“I want you to give me more ANC MPs, Women Rep, Senator, MCAs and governor. No ANC candidate will be elected in Ruto’s Surgoi and that is why I am asking you to elect ANC candidates in Vihiga county to make me strong and spare me from embarrassment,” said Mudavadi.

During the Kenya Kwanza trips to Bungoma and Busia, Wetangula campaigned for UDA candidates in the presence of Ruto. He remained ambivalent for fear of antagonising the supporters, only urging them to elect candidates in their coalition.

On the other hand, Ruto called for election of only UDA candidates when he took his campaigns to Kericho, Nandi and Uasin counties. He called for the rejection of politicians who are regarded as rebels in the Kalenjin nation.   He singled out Kesses MP Swarup Mishra and Uasin Gishu gubernatorial candidate Zedekiah Bundotich Kiprop alias Buzeki who is running as an independent contestant.  The DP described them as spoilers.

Friendly match

At Kesses where Dr Mishra has fallen out with him, the DP hit out at the legislator over what he termed as abusing the favour the locals gave him despite being a non-native.

 “He sides with my enemies to fight me. Kama mtu yeyote ako na deni yake (Mishra) mniambie niwalipie. He cannot go around saying that he bought you to elect him. Hakuna uongozi itanunuliwa na pesa. Kuna mtu alilipwa na Mishra hapa?” Posed the DP who lined up Julius Ruto, UDA candidate in the constituency.

 The DP also called on locals to elect UDA gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bii alias ‘Koti Moja’ and dismissed Buzeki.

 Meanwhile, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Friday, last week, took his Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance to Kajiado County where he drummed up support for ODM and Wiper party candidates.

While drumming up support for Raila and Kajiado governor candidate Joseph Lenku of ODM, Kalonzo also campaigned for Wiper party candidates in the region.

The Wiper leader said the battle between different parties within the Azimio la Umoja is a friendly match. Addressing a rally at Kitengela where he endorsed governor Lenku’s re-election, Kalonzo insisted on the need for IEBC officials to conduct credible elections adding that they have confidence in Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The IEBC Chairman, Kalonzo further stated, should instead work on curbing any  loopholes that can create doubt among Kenyans on the credibility of the process.

 “Voting is not just enough. Our youths should stay vigil at the polling stations to safeguard votes. I will not take chances after voting, instead I will be keen to monitor and guard Raila Odinga’s votes,’’ he said.

 While Wiper and ODM candidates allied to governor Lenku shared a podium, Kalonzo only campaigned for the Wiper Woman Representative candidate Josephine Tito and Senator candidate Gideon Toimasi.

ODM Woman representative Jennifer Moinket and Senator candidate Judy Pareno were also given a chance to woo voters.

Kalonzo emphasized the need for the Azimio Alliance candidates to work together and attract voters without fighting one another but instead let the will of the majority voters prevail.

The Wiper leader who addressed rallies at Isinya, Kisaju and Kajiado town, concluded his tour by addressing a meeting in Ilbisil, Kajiado Central where he campaigned for Moses Birisha, the Wiper MP candidate (Kajiado Central).

On his part Raila has been rooting for six-piece voting in his strong holds.

united in the past as we face our political adversaries, we are almost clinching the national leadership in our country and we cannot afford to appear divided at this moment that is why I want us to elect only ODM candidates,’’ Raila said, during a rally in Migori.