Africa-Press – Kenya. Jubilee has announced it’s position as a party with regards to the looming by-elections in Nairobi, Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, January 13, at the Jubilee Party headquarters, Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated that they were monitoring the situation in court and how everything will play out, before giving directions on the way forward.
“As for Nairobi’s seat of Governor [sic] we are on standby mode as the matter plays out in the High Court and Nairobi County Assembly,” he said.
The Nairobi mini polls set for February 18, were suspended pending the hearing and determination of former Governor Mike Sonko’s appeal on his impeachment.
Sonko is also engaged in another court case against Ann Kananu Mwenda, whose nomination as deputy governor he is said to have revoked.
The court, however, declined to stop the planned vetting of Kananu who was represented by senior counsel Paul Muite.
Jubilee is said to be considering BBI Secretariat co-Chair Dennis Waweru as the candidate to battle it out with UDA’s Margaret Wanjiru.
Tuju also announced that the party would not be fielding candidates in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections.
He added that Jubilee was engaging ODM, Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya in the listed polls.
Jubilee has avoided facing off with the Deputy President William Ruto-linked United Democratic Alliance party, which has already announced it’s participation in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections.
Wiper has fielded Agnes Kavindu who is UDA Chairman Johnstone Muthama’s ex-wife for the Machakos by-election.
Muthama and his ex-wife are also expected to face off in a campaign where their differences are likely to play out in public.
In the first week of January, Muthama, together with DP Ruto, met with twelve aspirants interested in vying for the Machakos by-election on a UDA ticket.
The former Senator said his party would undertake a scientific poll to determine who among the twelve was most popular, and grant them the ticket.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap has unveiled former Water Minister John Mutua Katuku to carry its flag in the by-election.
