Optimism at the Coast as big names dropped

Coast voters rejected political bigwigs, choosing instead to elect a largely new crop of leaders who have promised to usher in a new way of doing politics in the region.

They sent 11 of the 21 MPs they put in the 10th Parliament packing and replaced them with new faces they hope will change their fortunes under the devolved system of government.

Among the big losers are Cabinet minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere (United Republican Party) and former Tourism minister Najib Balala (Republican Congress) who were defeated by Boy Juma Boy (Orange Democratic Movement) and Hassan Omar Hassan (Wiper) for senatorial posts in Kwale and Mombasa respectively.

Mr Balala, the RC party leader and Jubilee luminary in Mombasa, received 65,804 votes against Omar’s 130,605. Environment assistant minister Ramadhan Kajembe came in third with 52,777 votes.

He joined 20 other losers of different elective seats in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties to protest what they claimed to be flawed elections. He promised to challenge the results in court.

The losers alleged malpractices such as voter bribery, intimidation, malfunctioning BVRs and stolen ballot boxes to support their claims. They also accused the electoral body of being “compromised” and called for fresh elections in the three counties.

Bigger forces

Mr Balala alleged that there were “bigger forces” in the region intent on being in leadership who would stop at nothing “including tampering with the elections for their individual interests” to stay in power.

In Kwale County, only former Kinango MP Gonzi Rai (The National Alliance) retained his seat, garnering 18,000 more votes than his closest challenger.

Two former Msambweni MPs, Omar Zonga (Wiper) and Abdallah Jumaa Ngozi (Kenya National Congress), who moved to the newly created Lunga Lunga constituency, were floored by a newcomer, Ford-Kenya’s Khatib Abdallah Mwashetani.

In Msambweni, former assistant minister Marere Mwarapayo Wamwachai’s (New Vision Party) attempt at a political comeback failed after she lost to Suleiman Dori Ramadhani (ODM).

And in Mombasa County, only Transport assistant minister Ali Hassan Joho (ODM) and Likoni MP Mwalimu Mwahima won their bids for governor and MP respectively.

In Kilifi County, flamboyant former Kaloleni MP and Medical Services assistant minister Samuel Kazungu Kambi (URP) lost to a long-time aspirant Mwinga Gunga Chea (Kadu-Asili).

His Ganze counterpart and Immigration assistant minister Francis Baya (TNA) lost the gubernatorial seat to Fisheries minister Amason Kingi who garnered 94,868 against his 38,391 votes.

Another loser was former Bahari MP Benedict Gunda (Chama Cha Uzalendo) who came a distant fourth in a parliamentary race won by a former NTV reporter, Mr Mustafa Idd (ODM), who garnered 7,305 votes against the former MP’s 1,874.

In Taita Taveta County, Education assistant minister Calist Mwatela (ODM) lost his Mwatate seat during party primaries to the eventual winner Andrew Mwadime (ODM). His wife, Jacinta Mwatela (Wiper), lost the gubernatorial race to John Mruttu of ODM.

Gender minister Naomi Shaaban (TNA) narrowly won the Taveta parliamentary seat, defeating Basil Criticos (Restore and Build Kenya) by only 109 votes.

Tourism minister Dan Mwazo (ODM) won the senator’s seat while former Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu (ODM) retained his seat.

In Tana River and Lamu counties, all previous parliamentarians — except in Lamu East where Fisheries assistant minister Abu Chiaba (TNA) won the senator’s seat — were not re-elected.

Lamu West MP Fahim Twaha (TNA) lost the gubernatorial seat to Issa Timami (United Democratic Front) while Garsen MP Danson Mungatana (TNA) lost his bid for Tana River governor to Hussein Dado (Wiper). Galole MP Dhado Godhana (ODM) and Bura MP Abdi Nassir Nuh (Wiper) lost their seats to Hassan Dukicha (UDF) and Ali Wario (TNA) respectively.

Africa Nazarene University law lecturer and political analyst Morris Mbondenyi said he was excited about the mix of fresh and old leaders in the region.

“We expect vibrancy, focus and resurgence of development in the six counties,” he said.

According to him, coastal voters had expressed their anger at their leaders for abandoning them to pursue personal interests or a national agenda.

“The defeat of Mwakwere, Balala and Kajembe is an indication that Coast people have come of age and will reject those who fail to deliver after ascending to power.”