The battle for the Wajir West Parliamentary seat in the April 25 by-election has gained momentum.
Candidates eyeing the seat that was declared vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of former MP Ahmed Kolosh have started drumming for support.
The Supreme Court nullified Kolosh’s election on grounds it was not free and fair.
Several candidates have so far declared interest in the parliamentary by-election.
Two weeks ago, Kolosh ditched the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and joined President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party.
Kolosh claimed that ODM was no longer popular in Wajir.
Other candidates eyeing the seat are Professor Yusuf Elmi who is vying on ODM ticket.
Abdirahman Mohamed is another candidate vying on KANU ticket while Daudi Muhammud Ali is contesting on Ford Kenya Party ticket.
Political analyst Peter Ngure now argues that the Wajir West contest is a two horse race.
He argues that it is between Kolosh of Jubilee and Elmi of ODM.
“It is obvious that the battle is going to be between the Jubilee and ODM candidate,” he said on Saturday.
He observed that ODM will be pushing to regain its popularity in Wajir and large Northern Kenya region.
The analyst said that the contest is unique in the sense that it is involving bigger parties whose party leaders are close allies after the famous ‘handshake’.
The analyst said that the handshake will play a key factor, adding that a candidate who will win the seat must woo the voters on personal level.
On Friday while handing Kolosh his certificate, Deputy President William Ruto exuded confidence that Jubilee will clinch the seat.
Ruto said that Jubilee will be driving on its transformative agenda and inclusivity to campaign for votes in the April 25 by-election.
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