One Kenya Alliance (OKA) chiefs yesterday trooped to Nguu/Masumba ward in Makueni county to drum up  support for a Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) candidate in the civic election.

 The ward by-election was  occasioned by the death of the Harrison Ngui through a road accident on Mombasa Nairobi highway two months ago.

 The contest has attracted three contenders, former MCA Timothy Maneno (Independent), United Democratic Alliance’s Daniel Musau and Eshio Mwaiwa of Wiper party. 

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka led OKA co-principals Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) and a representative of Kanu chairman Gideon Moi urged voters to pick the Wiper candidate as a demonstration that his political base was intact.

OKA Presidential ticket

 Kalonzo said failure to elect his candidate would limit his chances of flying the OKA presidential ticket in the ongoing negotiations.

 “Let’s vote for the Wiper candidate in this by election like what we did in Kitise Kithuki ward and Machakos senatorial by-election.

They want to split the votes and defeat me and reduce my chances of getting OKA presidential ticket. Let us not allow this to slip from our fingers,” said Kalonzo.

 MPs Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni) Irene Kasalu (Kitui), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti) among others flanked the OKA leaders.

 And Governor Kivutha Kibwana who spent better part of yesterday traversing the ward in solidarity with Timothy Maneno downplayed impact of OKA troop saying it was insignificant.  

Kibwana together with Machakos chief of staff Mwengi Mutuse have stood with Maneno throughout the campaign.

 The duo have warned the electorate against being misled by ‘outsiders’ in selection of their ward leader in the by election.  According to Maneno, Wiper’s objective was to stop him by all means hence did not have an agenda for the people.

  Maneno rose to the political limelight on 2007 when he ditched a well-paying TSC job where he worked as an accountant and ran successfully to become a councillor for Nguu ward . He was later in 2013 elected the first MCA for Nguu/Masumba ward.

 “Wiper was very determined in stopping me. I was saved by the court. I wonder what business do they have with my candidature.

They don’t have an agenda for the people. The people of Nguu want services and that is only through working well with the Governor,” said Maneno.

 And former Machakos senator Johnston Muthama led by the UDA brigade on Sunday in a charm offensive in support for their candidate Daniel Musau.  

The UDA candidate has promised electorate that he will champion an empowerment drive through bottom up economic model if elected on Thursday.

 Musau, an automotive engineer and businessman popularly know as Nguuman worked as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) chairman under the late MP Peter Kiilu.

 And Eshio Mwaiwa, an accountant is banking on his experience as a auditor to propel the ward should he be elected on Thursday.

 Yesterday, OKA leaders Moses Wetang’ula and Mudavadi rallied the electorates to register as voters to give Kalonzo stamina in his presidential bid.

 “It is only OKA that Kenyans can trust with the economy. If you want Kalonzo, then you must show through having a voting card since a decision is only going to be made in the ballot,” said Mudavadi.