Jubilee legislators at a past event. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]

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As the battle for slots at the East Africa Legislative Assembly takes the final laps, it looks like a section of the candidates will be having an easy time after speculations picked them up as favourites.

Kenya has nine slots to the regional assembly whose 54 members are the highest paid in the region.

According to the Star, there is intense lobbying by both Jubilee and NASA and the following are the candidates likely to feature.

1. Oburu Odinga

It is expected that Raila’s aging elder will earn the slot. He lost the 2013 race for Bondo MP but was nominated to the 11th Parliament. 

Should he make it, he will have every reson to thank his younger brother Raila Odinga for the political influence.

2. Norman Magaya

He is the NASA executive director and is likely to sail through unless Jubilee MPs sabotage him for his strident campaign against the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

He studied law at the Uganda Pentecostal University after passing his secondary examinations at Kimilili High School in Bungoma. 

He has taught and practiced law in different capacities and aged 36, he is set to be among the youngest nominees to make the shortlist.

3. Kennedy Musyoka 

Being Kalonzo Musyoka's eldest son, his nomination is strongly founded on political and family foundations. 

The 30-year-old is a consultant in the Wiper Democratic Movement whose leader is his father. 

He is a lawyer by training.

4. Abdikadir Aden

He is the immediate former MP for Mbala Mbala in Garissa and was one of the outspoken legislators in the last Parliament. He made frequent appearances on TV and articulated the ODM and opposition Cord agenda in might and this led him to be dear among opposition supporters.

5. Abubakar Zein

He is a dependable member of the NASA think-tank and is a repeat ODM nominee after he served in the last EALA where he chaired the Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution Committee. 

He is a Sociology graduate from the University of Nairobi and was a member of the Constitution Review Commission between 2001-2006.

6. Bishop Jackson Kosgey 

The father to gospel singer Emmy Kosgey would still get nominated if Jubilee had just two slots.

He is a great player behind the scenes in Rift Valley politics and serves as defacto spiritual godfather of Deputy President William Ruto. 

7. Charles Ayako Nyachae

The former chairman of the Constitution Implementation Committee is held highly in Jubilee corridors.

He lost the Kisii senatorial race to ODM’s Chris Obure but went ahead to stage a gallant fight for the party in the ethnically polarised county which was one of the battlegrounds of 2017. 

8. Simon Mbugua

Mbugua was prevailed upon by President Uhuru Kenyatta to pave way for Yusuf Hassan in the Kamukunji MP race on August 8. Jubilee will be keen on getting him something for his dedication to the party.