First-timers floor political giants in race for positions

Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, Lands assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli and former MPs Gitobu Imanyara and Joshua Kutuny were among politicians who lost to newcomers in the Monday General Election.

Others who were trailing opponents as results started trickling in were ministers Sam Ongeri (Foreign Affairs), Charity Ngilu (Water), Samuel Poghisio (Information and Communication), Chirau Mwakwere (Transport) and Naomi Shaban (Gender and Children Affairs).

Assistant ministers Kambi Kazungu, outgoing MPs Danson Mungatana and Najib Balala also appeared headed for defeat.

Mr Poghisio, who contested the West Pokot Senate seat, was trailing former Roads PS John Lonyangapuo who resigned last September to contest the elective position.

Mr Kosgey conceded defeat after losing his bid to become the first Nandi County senator to a youthful lawyer Stephen Sang.  Mr Kosgey is, however, on the list of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominees to the Senate.

Ms Ngilu was trailing Defence assistant minister David Musila in the race for the Kitui Senate seat.

Mr Imanyara, the outgoing Imenti Central MP, lost his Senate bid to Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi. Mr Imanyara, who also conceded defeat, said he is considering retirement from active politics.

Former Higher Education Loans Board chairman Benjamin Cheboi secured the Baringo County governor seat.

Former government spokesman Alfred Mutua took a commanding lead over former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti in the Machakos county’s race for governorship.

In Makueni County, President Kibaki’s former coalition adviser Kivutha Kibwana was ahead of outgoing Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki in a similar race.

Higher Education minister Margaret Kamar was trailing Mr Jackson Mandago in the Uasin Gishu county governorship race.

Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya took a commanding lead against his Housing counterpart Soita Shitanda in the Kakamega governorship contest.

Outgoing Juja MP William Kabogo was ahead of businessman James Nyoro in their bid for the Kiambu County governorship.

In Laikipia, Joshua Irungu had more votes than assistant ministers Mwangi Kiunjuri (Water) and Nderitu Mureithi (Industrialisation).

Former Administration Police Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua led former National Cohesion and Integration Commission commissioner Lawrence Bomet in the contest to become Nakuru County’s governor.

Labour assistant minister Sospeter Ojaamong was headed for victory as Busia County governor while former Attorney- General Amos Wako had opened unassailable lead against outgoing Nambale MP Chris Okemo in the Senate race.

Also heading for victory was Education minister Mutula Kilonzo who was leading outgoing Kilome MP Harun Mwau in the Makueni Senate contest.
Former government chief whips Jakoyo Midiwo and Johnston Muthama were leading their opponents in their bids. Muthama is seeking to be senator for Machakos while Midiwo is defending his Gem parliamentary seat.

Kiambu Senate aspirant Stanley Githunguri trailed Mr Paul Njoroge while former Nairobi Town Clerk Roba Duba was trailing two aspirants in the Moyale parliamentary contest.

By the time of going to press Tuesday, results for a third of the 33,000 polling stations had been received by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Chairman Issack Hassan said voting in the Monday polls went late into the night and majority of votes were still being counted.

The commission urged voters to be patient as its officials work to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

“I assure Kenyans the commission is doing everything possible to ensure tallied results are relayed to Bomas, the national tallying centre,” he said.

He asked all returning officers who had declared results to travel to Nairobi and hand in official results to enable the commission declare them formally.

[email protected]