Kamukunji campaigns enter the homestreach

Campaigns continued yesterday as the race for Kamukunji’s next Member of Parliament intensified, amid concerns of reduced lack of interest among the voters.

Ibrahim Ahmed of ODM, popularly referred to as Johnny, was in Kariokor Social Hall and Biafra town hall where he held meetings with area residents. He later held a youth meeting at Eastleigh section 3 before proceeding on a door-to-door campaign at Motherland and Wamugunda estates.

PNU’s Yusuf Abdi was held up in a strategy meeting for the better part of the day as his convoy traversed the Eastleigh area. In the afternoon, he held a meeting in Shauri Moyo Social Hall in the company of Public Health Minister Beth Mugo, Embakasi MP Fedinard Waititu, Kirinyaga Central legislature Joseph Gitari and a Nairobi Business Woman identified as Njeri wa Mitumba.

The by-election, scheduled for August 18, also features Narc Kenya”s Brian Weke, Geoffrey Mutuku Muthini of The Independent Party (TIP), and GNU’s Catherine Muthoni Kihara. Others are James Matagaro of Kenya Social Congress, David Waihiga (Agano) and Daniel Omao as Ford People’s candidate.

Mr.Ahmed and Mr. Weke are campaigning on a platform of insiders who have grown up in Kamukunji and hence understand unique challenges facing the area residents. Mr. Yusuf, on the other hand, wants to be elected on account of his advanced education level and many years of work experience.

There is however a low interest in the election among area residents and this is likely to have a negative impact on voter turnout come election day. And, as is was witnessed in earlier campaigns before the elections were halted by the high court, leaders accompanying the candidates addressed crowds in mother tongue in areas perceived to be strongholds specific people.

Kamukunji constituents, interviewed by the Nation, said the remaining period for the current parliament was not enough for whoever is elected as area MP to achieve much, but they want an MP who would address their immediate needs.

The main issues Kamukunji residents want their next member of parliament to tackle include proper utilization of CDF funds, the poor state of roads in the constituency, insecurity and high levels of unemployment among the youth. Some residents, especially those from Eastleigh and Majengo, have also expressed concern about police harassment in the fight against terrorism.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is expected in the constituency today to lead PNU campaigns while Prime Minister Raila Odinga is scheduled to pitch tent in the area from Saturday, to drum up support for the ODM candidate.

The campaigns continue until Tuesday with the election date slated for Thursday next week. It will be interesting to watch how major political parties handle this by-election as analysts tout it to be a rehearsal of the next general elections, expected to be held in a year’s time.