Early campaigns in Nakuru

By OUR REPORTERS

THE ever hotly contested Nakuru Town parliamentary seat is up for grabs even as voters will have to wait until December 2012 to seal the fate.

According to unconfirmed sources, residents are outraged with the current MP Mr. Lee Kinyanjui also the roads assistant minister for what they term as neglect.

The source also confirmed that a section of residents, cry foul and highly question the manner in which the local CDF fund is being utilized.

Early campaigns are being witnessed with key contesters’ going round the constituency trying to create good will among voters through development activities and political strategies that are in line with majority of the local voters.

Such include a prominent local businessman Paul Madaraka Mwithaga and the controversial and outspoken cleric Mike Brown who our sources indicated that were making inroads in the constituency with development agendas.

The two, our sources said were leading the local voters in taunting at the current MP for allegedly misusing CDF funds and neglecting the well fair of locals politically. The two aspirants accuse the MP for allegedly not supporting the guest for a new constitution as was the wishes of the majority of the constituents during the referendum campaigns.

In what seems to be a political ambush on Kinyanjui our sources said Madaraka has over one hundred development schemes he has officiated in the constituency over the last two years.

These include charity works to local children’s homes, hospitals, and women groups and sponsoring of projects by local college students, youth groups, schools and churches.

Madaraka recently recorded a statement at Kilimani police station in Nairobi following alleged threats on his life.He said during a recent political rally in Molo that he believed those making threats on his life were out to intimidate him for exposing “fishy’’deals in the management of local public funds.

Mwithaga said: The era of silencing critics in an orthodox way is long gone and instead leaders should accommodate divergent views when handling public resources and issues.”

A recent call in radio programme for Q FM highlighted Nakuru voters’ dismay. The residents according to the sources were concerned over their MPs continued silence and negligible development record.

Madaraka was among those who missed parliament with a small margin in the highly competitive last general elections and those who monitor local politics closely are quick to comment that this round the entire wealthy young businessman will make a kill.

“He is a down to earth person who is ready to listen to people’s problems and aspirations and hovers not to his promises” said a supporter of the aspirant.

Kinyanjui’s supporters however have dismissed the allegations that the MP is absent and non-performing.The loyalists said that Kinyanjui’s development agenda was on record and could not be disputed.