‘Dramatic’ Anwar Loitiptip loses in UDA nominations
Lamu Senator Anwar Loitiptip has lost the chance to run for the Lamu Senatorial post on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The politician, famously known for his dramatic character, lost to a newbie Mr Francis Mugo.
Speaking to Nairobi News, UDA National Election Board boss Anthony Mwaura said that the ticket was handed over to Mr Mugo.
“It is true that the certificate has been handed over to Mr Mugo and he will be the UDA candidate in the August 9, General Elections,” said Mr Mwaura.
Mr Mugo did not hide his joy and posted the new development on his official Facebook account breaking the news to his supporters.
“It is official I’m the UDA Senatorial Candidate for Lamu County. My God never fails,” he said.
In the 2017 elections, Mr Loitiptip had a narrow victory after he gathered 14,432 votes against his closest rival Mr Hassan Albeity of Wiper party who garnered 14,374 votes.
Others who are eyeing the seat include; former Lamu East MP Mohamed Hashim Salim, Lawyer Yusuf Aboubakar, former nominated MCA Joseph Githuku and Dr Ahmed Bunu Haji.
The two rivals Mr Loitiptip and Mr Mugo have in the past had issues with the former being accused of assaulting the latter.
Mr Loitiptip is accused of kicking and harassing the youth leader at the Manda Airport Jetty with the aim of blocking him not to meeting DP Ruto.
Mr Mugo said he injured his right hand, left eye, and hip.
In October 2021, Mr Loitiptip was arrested moments after he allegedly shot and injured a 32-year-old woman identified as Joy Makena.
The lady was rushed to the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital after the confrontation took place.
The incident took place at Kanu Grounds in Nanyuki town, Laikipia County.
In April 2021, just two months after he broke up with former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s daughter identified as Saumu- the Senator married socialite Aeedah Bambi.
In March 2021, an internet user leaked a video of the Senator and his girlfriend smoking shisha, a banned substance in Kenya.
Mr Jones Ochieng was on a mission to allegedly extort money from the senator.
In 2019, Loitiptip was on the receiving end after he suffered an attack by unknown assailants at a popular club located in Nairobi.
In his statement, the Senator said that he was heading out of the building with Sonko’s daughter when she asked to visit the washrooms.
It was then that a gang, which was armed with blunt objects, allegedly pounced on the senator and clobbered him senseless.
Following the incident, the club’s security guard, David Kombo was arraigned in court to answer charges of assault.