Caption: Matungulu parliamentary hopeful, Salome Ndawa (center) who is also the sitting MCA of Matungulu West ward joins her supporters in a dance on arrival at Katine village where she addressed hundreds of women and youth. Photo:James M/hivisasa.comVoters in Matungulu constituency are waiting with a baited breath to experience a spectacular political showdown in the constituency’s parliamentary elections, pitting the incumbent Stephen Mule against dozens of aspirants who have rolled sleeves to stage an ouster on the first time legislator.
For the first time, a female aspirant-the sitting MCA for Matungulu West ward, Salome Magdalene Ndawa has declared interest in the seat, a scenario which appears to have stirred a fresh political excitement in one of Machakos County’s undisputed political hotspots.
Ms Ndawa’s entry into the male-dominated political battle field has raised stakes in favor of her candidature, amid reports that some aspirants who had earlier joined the race were contemplating quitting for fear of a humiliating defeat.
Besides Ndawa and Mule, others who have declared interest in the seat include businessmen Paul Muya Mukulima, Dr Charles Kyalo Kilonzo, and Thomas Malinda Musau. Kangundo Knut branch executive secretary, Daniel Kimomo Nginga and Matungulu East MCA Wilson Kasimu Mukewa are also in the race.
Political observers believe the aspirants will most likely focus on the vote-rich zones of the expansive constituency in order to secure comfortable numbers in bid to capture the seat.
In the past two weeks, Ms Ndawa has pitched tent in the constituency’s most populous Ward, Tala central where she has been wooing women and youth groups into her camp with breath-taking pre-election promises on economic empowerment.
“My sincere desire is to have youths and women pull out from the shackles of poverty through engaging in practical and sustainable entrepreneurial activities that will create employment and put money in people’s pockets,” she declared meeting several women groups in Katine, Tala central.
Ms Ndawa said it’s the high time voters in Matungulu chose a leadership which believes in social and economic empowerment and not one which condemns the electorate in vicious cycle of poverty and political sycophancy.
Political pundits also foresee tough political battles in Kyeleni and Matungulu North wards, where none of the parliamentary aspirants hail from.