Where battle will be hottest in Jubilee primaries
By DAVID KWALIMWAThe aborted Jubilee Party primaries have offered a fresh chance for the affected aspirants to not only restrategise, but also to stockpile their arsenal in readiness for the looming showdown.
Then, as now, the stakes are high – as the winner takes it all – and loser goes home empty handed. Add in the intense rivalry and you therein have a recipe for the ‘mother of all battles’.
But which of these battles standS out?
1. Anne Waiguru vs Joseph Ndaathi – (Governorship, Kirinyanga County)
The former powerful Cabinet Secretary is now trying her hand in politics after a tough exit from the public service. Her critics also say she is only too keen to rebrand and cleanse the shadows of all the corruption scandals that marred her stay in the Devolution Ministry. She has so far put up a good show, but unseating Ndaathi, a veteran politician and incumbent wont be easy.
2. Martin Wambora vs Cecily Mbarire – (Governorship, Embu County)
Wambora has spent most of his first term in office fighting off impeachment. The vocal Mbarire is his latest challenger. The two have exchanged not so pleasant words in recent times, leading to suggestions this could be a feisty showdown. Alteast, however, both were in agreement that Friday’s primaries in the area should be rescheduled owing to a lack of preparedness.
3. William Kabogo vs Ferdinand Waititu – (Governorship, Kiambu County)
This battle has already spilled over to the corridors of justice, with Kabogo challenging Waititu’s academic papers, whilst Waititu responding with a defamation claim seeking Sh50 million. Perhaps in readiness for the battle, Waititu, who lost to Evans Kidero in Nairobi last time, has now officially changed name to Babayao, making this literally the ‘father of all battles’.
4. Mutahi Kagwe vs Samuel Wamathaai – (Governorship, Nyeri County)
The two have gone at each other full throttle, amid claims of voter buying, and threats to unleash “gangs” to supervise the election. Nyeri has never been a peaceful zone though, and were he alive, the area’s departed Governor Nderitu Gachagua would attest to this.
5. Kinuthia Mbugua vs John Mututho vs Lee Kinyanjui – (Governorship, Nakuru County)
The threesome are all fiery and deep pocketed. Here we go!
6. Jackson Mandago versus Buzeki – (Governorship, Uasin Gishu County)
Eldoret is literally on fire as these two prepare to lock horns. Mandago is crying foul, claiming the Deputy President’s “people” are sympathetic to Buzeki. The youthful clean shaven Buzeki (real name Bundotich Kiprop) is responding by splashing the cash. This one will be fought to the last blow.
7. Mike Sonko vs Peter Kenneth – (Governorship, Nairobi County)
This battle is too close to call that even President Uhuru Kenyatta has offered to mediate. So tight it was that the likes of Johnson Sakaja and Dennis Waweru all fell by the wayside. It has already turned into a bloody battle, but the populist Sonko is not relenting. Keep it here!
(image)