A past photo of Nasa leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta. Their presidential contest will not be the only one that many Kenyans will be closely following. [Photo: NMG]
The tight presidential race between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his bitter rival Raila Odinga will be keenly followed by many Kenyans after tomorrow's vote.
However, this is not the only race that Kenyans will be closely following. There are other contests in the fight for governor, senator, MP and Woman Representative that many would be eagerly waiting to see how they turn out.
For instance, in Nairobi County, the Star notes, a hot contest is expected between outgoing Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko (JP) and incumbent Governor Evans Kidero of ODM. The other contest to watch in Nairobi will be that of Woman Representative, where incumbent Rachel Shebesh of Jubilee Party is facing off with ODM’s Esther Passaris.
In Starehe parliamentary seat, it will be interesting to see how youthful politicians Boniface Mwangi (Ukweli Party), Steve Mbogo (ODM) and Charles Njagua of Jubilee compete will battle it out. In Embakasi East, controversial university student leader Babu Owino (ODM) will be squaring it out with Jubilee’s Francis Mureithi.
Ruaraka parliamentary race where the contest is between nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro (ANC) and MP TJ Kajwang’, will be closely followed.
In the neighbouring Kiambu County, the battle will be between two long-time rivals incumbent Governor William Kabogo (independent) and Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu. Both competed for the Jubilee Party ticket during the primaries where Waititu emerged the winner. Kabogo is contesting as an independent candidate.
The paper reports that Thika Town parliamentary seat will be an epic competition between Alice Ng’ang’a and her main challenger, independent Patrick Wainaina alias Jungle.
In Rift Valley region, many are eager to see how the contest between incumbent Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Zedekiah Bundotich (Buzeki) turns out. Mandago won the JP ticket while Buzeki is an independent candidate who is giving Mandago sleepless nights.
In Kisumu, Governor Jack Ranguma is fighting for political survival against Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o despite several attempts by ODM to have him step down for the senator who is a close associate of Raila Odinga.
In Machakos, incumbent Governor Dr Alfred Mutua of Maendeleo Chap Chap party faces stiff opposition from former Kathiani legislator, Wavinya Ndeti of Wiper. Various opinion polls put Mutua ahead of Ndeti.
In Murang’a, outgoing Senator Kembi Gitura, who is running on an independent ticket, will rough it up with Kiharu MP Irungu Kang’ata. The gubernatorial contest in the same county will also not be a walk in the park as incumbent Governor Mwangi Wairia battle it out with Mzalendo Saba Saba, Dr Moses Ndung'u. Wairia faces serious integrity issues that involve run-away corruption in his administration.
Finally, in Kirinyaga where the first woman governor is sure to be elected, iron lady Martha Karua of Narc-Kenya and former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru (JP), will be in a stiff race.