The campaign tracker today: 12-04-2017
Chaos in Tharaka-Nithi
4.52pm
Chaos erupt in Tharaka-Nithi as supporters of Governor Ragwa disrupt a campaign meeting in which Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki was launching his governorship bid.
The meeting was also attended by Senator Kithure Kindiki.
Nominated MCA James Mutembei said the goons had been paid to disrupt the meeting in which Mr Njuki was to launch his campaign manifesto for governorship.
Ministers free to campaign for Uhuru
4.45pm
IEBC has said that Cabinet secretaries are free to campaign for President Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the August elections.
This is despite protests by the Opposition who have called for their neutrality.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati has said that the ministers are exempted from the law barring civil servants from campaigning.
“Cabinet Secretaries are exempted from the law (barring civil servants ffrom campaigning). They can propagate party activities.” – Mr Chebukati.
He also said the commission cannot block a sitting President or governor from using state resources to campaign.
The electoral commission is today expected to gazette the names of political party aspirants, paving way for the high-stakes nominations starting tomorrow.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had last week demanded parties to conduct their primaries only after the names have been gazetted.
And with 117 days to the August 8 general election, the parties are on the homestretch preparing for the much-awaited nominations.
The IEBC has given a window from April 13 and which closes on April 26 for the party nominations to take place.
Wiper aspirants meet Kalonzo
Meanwhile, Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka will this morning meet the party aspirants in Nairobi County and will thereafter make a statement on the opposition politics.
Mr Musyoka’s slated press briefing comes a day after National Super Alliance (Nasa) affiliate parties ODM, ANC and Ford Kenya clashed over a proposed line-up that places Raila Odinga as the flag bearer and Mr Musyoka as the running mate.
ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi has been earmarked as Chief Minister, akin to the powerful Prime Minister who will manage government operations while Mr Moses Wetang’ula of Ford Kenya has been poised to take over as Speaker of any of the two Houses of Parliament – whichever he pleases.
ODM nominations
Meanwhile, ODM is now expected to kick off its nomination exercise from tomorrow with the primaries set to start in Bungoma, Busia and Machakos Counties.
Two days later, on April 15, Turkana, Kakamega, Samburu and Narok Counties will do their nominations followed by Kisii, Nyamira, Taita Taveta, Kajiado and Trans Nzoia counties three days later on Tuesday, April 18.
Wednesday, April 19 will see Mombasa County, Kilifi County, Kwale, Tana River and Lamu Counties hold their primaries.
Two days later, Homa Bay, Migori, Nakuru and Vihiga Counties will follow suit.
The penultimate day of the planned 12 days nomination exercise will move to Siaya, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu Counties on Monday, April 24 while the last day, on Tuesday, April 25 will see three counties, that is, Makueni, Garissa and Nairobi, conclude the exercise.
Reporting by: Patrick Lang’at, Collins Omulo
