{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Cord exploited rift in Uhuru’s new party to trounce it in Kajiado - Politics - nation.co.ke
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Cord exploited rift in Uhuru's new party to trounce it in Kajiado - Politics
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The Opposition took advantage of in-fighting in President Kenyatta's new party to inflict defeat on the well-funded Jubilee campaign for the Kajiado Central seat.
Some officials of The National Alliance and the United Republican Party, the main partners in the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP), resisted the party's formation for fear being locked out of top positions.
Mr Elijah Kanchory Memusi (ODM) trounced Mr Patrick Tutui after winning 16,008 votes against the JAP candidate's 15,508. Mr Kuntai Nkashuma got 100 votes.
It was Mr Tutui's third straight loss, though for the first time, he came close to winning.
President Kenyatta was personally monitoring the results of the election that his new party desired to win ahead of its launch.
Jubilee leaders formed the party to consolidate Mr Kenyatta's support in central Kenya and the Rift Valley ahead of the 2017 General Election.
The loss on Monday night is a significant blow to the new party, given the effort put into the race by top Jubilee figures.
The President had been making efforts to woo Kajiado residents from the Opposition. He gave them the powerful Interior and Coordination ministry, a diplomatic appointment and a top State corporation job.
He also allowed the creation of several locations and sub-locations to win the hearts of the voters.
Government Chief Whip Katoo ole Metito told the Nation the loss meant nothing as JAP was only making an attempt to snatch an opposition seat.
"Since 2002, the people of Kajiado Central have been stuck in the Opposition. It appears getting them out of their comfort zone within a month was not going to be easy.
"But you must remember the Opposition won in 2013 by over 12,000 votes. Now we have reduced the gap to less that 700 votes," he said.
Asked about the impression created by the rejection of the Jubilee candidate despite the "goodies" that the President and the government gave to Kajiado voters, he said: "The beneficiaries of the gestures you have mentioned would do better if they gave personal explanations as to why they did not return a hand."
Then there were internal differences among Kajiado leaders, who accused Mr Metito, a close ally of President Kenyatta's, of "masterminding" Mr Tutui's candidature.
"This whole thing was a project initiated by Katoo ole Metito and chairman of the Kenya Meat Commission, Taraiyia ole Kores.
"They made the President not listen to anyone. I am sad they have caused us a big embarrassment," said Narok West MP Moses ole Sakuda.
He attributed the loss to the humiliation of former Narok MP William Ntimama after his attempt to join TNA last year was blocked by some Maasai leaders, who advised State House to cancel a planned visit by the former minister.
"For a whole week, Mr Ntimama spent time calling Maasai elders in Kajiado Central and told them to lead the people into voting for Mr Memusi."
He also blamed Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery for mishandling the crisis between Narok County leaders when he deployed police to disrupt a protest, where one person died.
"I have talked to Nkaissery about this matter and he has admitted he made a mistake worth an apology," said the MP.
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter laid the blame on the party's nominations.
He accused National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Kericho Senator Charles Keter, Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau and Mr Metito for the "botched nominations".
"The four brought the President and his Deputy to ridicule and they should apologise forthwith.
"There is no problem with JAP because it has, in effect, been existing since the 2013 election," he said.
But for Suna East MP Junet Mohammed (ODM), who led the Opposition's campaign, the Orange party benefited from a well-chosen candidate.
"We invested heavily on agents and they did wonders. We also worked well with an informal intelligence network to seal all loopholes," said Mr Mohammed.
On the election Day, Cord mobilised 50 MPs to supervise the polls and engage an anti-rigging strategy that led to the arrest of several vote buyers.
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Cord-exploited-rift-in-Uhuru-new-party/-/1064/2657270/-/11gd2o9/-/index.html
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