Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala says the Matungu by-election outcome will decide who will clinch the Presidency in 2022.
Speaking while on a campaign trail in Matungu for ANC’s Peter Oscar Nabulindo, Malala urged residents to vote wisely, insisting that the race is crucial for Kenya’s political landscape.
The Matungu parliamentary race has attracted at least 15 candidates, including nine independent ones.
The leading candidates include Peter Nabulindo (Amani National Congress (ANC), Alex Lanya (United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and David Were (ODM. Others are Charles Kasamani (United Democratic Party), Paul Achayo (Movement for Democracy and Growth) and Faida Auma (Maendeleo (Maendeleo Chap Chap).
The independent candidates include Christabel Murunga, Eugene Murunga, Bernard Wakoli, Gregory Atoko, Kevin Borry Nectus, Wilberforce Lutta, Athman Wangara, Anzelimo Kongoti and Samuel Munyekenye.
“Yule mtu atashinda hapa Matungu atakuwa Rais wa Kenya 2022. Mjue kwamba mkipigia Alex Lanya kura, mnapigia William Ruto kura. Mkipigia David Were kura, mnapigia Raila Odinga kura. Mkipigia Peter Oscar Nabulindo kura, mnapigia Musalia Mudavadi kura,” said Malala.
Mudavadi, Raila supremacy battle
When the 62,386 registered voters of Matungu will be casting their ballot on March 4, they will not only be voting for their MP but also settling a score.
In the spirit of the ‘moribund’ National Super Alliance, Moses Wetangula-led Ford Kenya Party decided against fielding a candidate in Matungu. Instead, the lion party threw its weight behind ANC’s candidate.
But the ‘bullish’ ODM insisted on fielding a candidate, giving a direct nomination to former MP David Were.
In the event that ANC candidate wins in the by-election, political pundits say, the win will settle the unending debate of who the Mulemebe nation political kingpin is- Raila Odinga or Musalia Mudavadi.
The Matungu seat fell vacant after the demise of MP Justus Murunga in November 2020.