Timothy Maneno wins hotly-contested Nguu/Masumba Ward by-election

Timothy Maneno, a former Makueni County ward representative, on Thursday made a come back after stunning two upcoming politicians in the hotly contested Nguu/Masumba Ward by-election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Mr Maneno the winner of the mini poll after he garnered 2,902 votes.

Daniel Kivuva of UDA came second in the closely contested race with 2,219 votes while Eshio Mwaiwa of the Wiper Democratic Movement wound up third with 1,604 votes.

"Timothy Maneno is the Nguu/Masumba MCA elect after bagging 2902 votes. Mr Musau bagged 2219 votes while Mwaiwa polled  1614 votes," Returning Officer Maureen Oyaro announced at end of the tallying exercise at Kikuumini tallying centre.

A former Teacher Service Commission official, Mr Maneno served as a councillor of the area between 1997 and 2013 when he became the first MCA in the ward.

Lost the seat in 2017

He was among 29 MCAs who lost their seats in the 2017 General Election after losing favour with the electorate. The seat fell vacant in June when the MCA Harris Ngui died in a road accident.

"I will work with my two brothers. Let them bring those ideas they had for the people of Nguu/Masumba ward we implement them," the MCA-elect said in his acceptance speech.

While Mr Mwaiwa enjoyed the support of One Kenya Alliance politicians in the race, Mr Kivuva enjoyed the backing of politicians allied to Dr Ruto in the region.

Mr Maneno was supported by Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana, Machakos chief of staff Mwengi Mutuse and a number of former Makueni County ward representatives.

While celebrating the poll outcome, Prof Kibwana and Mr Mutuse said it marked a new dawn in the politics of the region which is widely seen as the political turf of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Conceded defeat

"The people of Nguu/Masumba Ward have upheld democratic ideals. They have spoken loud and clear in electing Mr Maneno. I thank all the gallant leader-volunteers who supported The independent candidate in all ways. We have opened a new chapter in our region's and country's politics," Prof Kibwana said.

At the local level, the by-election was billed as a petridish for the supremacy of Mr Mutuse and  businessman James Mbaluka who was coordinating Mr Musau’s campaign. The two have declared interest in the Kibwezi West parliamentary seat in next year's polls.

The mini-poll is also seen as a contest between Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Prof Kibwana and Deputy President William Ruto who are all eyeing the presidency. 

Earlier, the Wiper Party had conceded defeat even before IEBC declared the final results. In a statement Mr Musyoka published on his social media accounts, the party congratulated Mr Maneno and Mr Kivuva.

"The people of Nguu/Masumba Ward have spoken through the ballot and we should honor their decision," Mr Musyoka said.