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NEWS
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Kenya: Newcomers Trounce Top Politicians
December 29, 2007
At least 20 ministers, including Vice-President Moody Awori, were among the
giants who were felled by voters in Thursday's elections.
The losers included President Kibaki's long time allies as well as veteran
politicians such as former influential Cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott.
Former President Moi's son Gideon lost to former Lands Commissioner Sammy Mwaita.
Two other sons of retired President Moi - Jonathan and Raymond - were also
rejected in the historic elections that saw little known newcomers make their
way to the 10th Parliament.
A number of assistant ministers, party leaders among them Safina's Paul Muite
and Kanu chief whip Justin Muturi also fell by the way side.
Other losers are ministers Kipruto Kirwa, Raphael Tuju, Kivutha Kibwana, Mohamed
Abdi Mahmud, Musikari Kombo, Joseph Munyao, Mutua Katuku, Newton Kulundu, David
Mwiraria, Mukhisa Kituyi, Njenga Karume, Henry Obwocha and Simeon Nyachae.
Roads minister Nyachae lost the Nyaribari Chache seat to newcomer Robert Onsare
Monda of Narc.
The former Nakuru-based veterinary officer defeated Mr Nyachae by 11, 336 votes
to 9,909.
The fate of Paul Sang was also sealed while Njeru Ndwiga was trailing his
opponent Emilio Kathuri.
Public Service minister Moses Akaranga lost to ODM presidential running mate
Musalia Mudavadi while former Nairobi Water Company chairman Kabando wa Kabando
dethroned Information and Communication's minister Mutahi Kagwe.
Assistant ministers Kalembe Ndile, Raphael Wanjala's fate was also sealed.
Tourism and Wildlife's Morris Dzoro was trailing his main rival by the time of
going to Press.
Counting disrupted
And Education minister George Saitoti was going through a hard time in his
Kajiado North constituency where counting was violently disrupted with claims of
rigging.
Mr Awori, who has represented Funyula for 25 uninterrupted years, lost to his
bitter rival Dr Paul Otuoma of ODM.
Dr Otuoma sought court orders two weeks ago to block the police from arresting
him and two others following the lynching of two people two years ago.
The court granted him a three-month reprieve to enable him campaign.
He told the court he was being harassed and intimidated through unwarranted
arrests and prosecutions following his declaration to vie for Parliament against
the VP.
Mr Biwott also lost the Keiyo South parliamentary seat which he has represented
since 1979 to Mr Jackson Kiptanui of ODM.
An elated Kiptanui described the win as a miracle and appealed to professionals
from the area to "come back home" and help develop the constituency.
Agriculture minister Kirwa who has served Cherengany as MP since 1989 was
defeated by ODM's Joshua Kutuni by 13,458 against 11,253.
The 29-year-old Kutuni, in welcoming his victory, said he would serve the
cosmopolitan constituency without favouritism.
Dr Kulundu lost to retired auditor Manyala Keya of Ford Kenya who garnered
16,035 votes against Dr Kulundu's 7,469.
Mr Mwiraria who is the minister for Environment lost to bitter rival Silas
Muriuki, a veteran trade unionist and teacher. Mr Muriuki vied on Mazingira
Green Party while Mr Mwiraria stood on PNU.
The minister stormed out of the counting hall at Meru school before the final
results were announced.
Dr Kituyi lost to Ford Kenya's Dr David Eseli Simiyu.
Prof Kibwana, one-term MP, lost the Makueni constituency to former Provincial
Commissioner Peter Kiilu.
Prof Kibwana was one of President Kibaki's pointman in Lower Eastern and vied on
PNU ticket. Mr Kiilu won on an ODM-K ticket.
Mr Muturi, the outgoing Kanu chief whip and key ally to Kanu chairman Uhuru
Kenyatta, lost to bitter rival Lenny Kivuti.
Defence minister Karume was defeated by his bitter rival Stanley Githunguri of
Kanu in Kiambaa. Mr Githunguri of Kanu got 69,078 votes against Karume's 14,304.
Mr Obwocha lost to former provincial medical officer of health, Dr James Gesami.
Mr Kombo lost to his veteran rival Alfred Sambu of ODM in a controversial
election that saw the Local Government Minister's protest the results arguing
they were not free.
Mr Muite, a fiery politician who participated in fight for second liberation,
was sent home by PNU candidate Lewis Nguyai.
Mr Ndile of TIP was whitewashed by Prof Philip Kaloki of ODM-K.
In Kilome, former MP Mutinda Mutiso failed to sustain the ODM-K wave as he was
trounced by former anti-graft czar Harun Mwau.
The polls also saw the return of former powerful permanent secretary Zakayo
Cheruiyot who bagged the Kuresoi seat.
Heritage minister Shakombo lost the Likoni seat to former Mombasa mayor Masoud
Mwahima of ODM.
The politician got 17,859 votes against Mr Shakombo's 7,324.
An excited Mwahima led his supporters in Mombasa streets.
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Source: All Africa
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