NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 17 – Poor
handling of the Jubilee Alliance Party nominations has been blamed for Monday’s
loss in the Kajiado Central by-election which was won by the Orange Democratic
Movement.
Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi says
the nominations were mismanaged by JAP, resulting in the loss of an ‘easy’
election.
“Incumbents do not lose obvious
elections. Kajiado incompetently handled by JAP. Kibaki incompetence of 2007
led to war. 2017 is MONTHS away,” Ngunyi posted on Twitter.
His sentiments were echoed by
analyst Ngunjiri Wambugu who cautioned the newly formed party officials to
learn from the experience ahead of the 2017 General Election.
“Congratulations #Memusi. Well won
fight. #JAP->You’ve lost a battle bt if you’ve learnt something you wldnt
lose the war .. if not .. *smh*,” Wambugu pointed out.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba
Murkomen admits that there was a blunder in the nomination stage saying JAP
must manage their nominations well in future.
“Congratulations to my brother Hon.
Elijah Memusi Kanchory. As JAP we must manage our nominations well. We didn’t
have to lose our candidate,” he stated.
Memusi who won with 16,008 votes
against Tutui’s 15,508 moved to ODM after losing to Tutui in the JAP
nominations.
But for Kakamega Senator Boni
Khalwale, it was a show of might for the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy
(CORD) against its bitter rival.
“Happy birthday and congratulations
to Hon. Elijah Memusi. They should know people, we fight big wars,” he too
posted on Twitter.
For Suna East Member of Parliament
and Director of Elections in ODM Junet Mohammed, “Kajiado Central was a litmus
test for 2017…Yes we will capture power.”
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula was
also upbeat after the victory.
“Cord has defeated Jubilee
(JAPanese) in every by-election since the 2013 General election…note!!! Watch this
space,” he said.
Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and
CORD leader Raila Odinga were involved in campaigning for their respective
candidates.
On his part, State House Director of
Digital and Diaspora communications Dennis Itumbi said, “Jubilee should take the
loss & re-evaluate. I however note that it was an improved performance when
compared to 2013.”
