Kitui West by-election: Nyiva Mwendwas son launches bid

Nairobi businessman and son of former minister Nyiva Mwendwa, Maluki Mwendwa on Saturday got a huge boost after five out of six members of county assembly in the constituency endorsed him to run for the Kitui West by election.

The MCAs including David Thuvi (Kwa Mutonga), Sylvester Kitheka (Matinyani), Felix Mbevo (Mutonguni), Esther Ndile (Nominated) and Florence Singi (Nominated) endorsed Mr Mwendwa saying he was the best candidate to succeed the late area MP Francis Nyenze.

They urged voters to choose their next MP wisely and avoid being swayed by trivial considerations.

Speaking during Mwendwa’s campaign launch, the MCAs said he was the best placed candidate take Kitui West to the next level and that as grassroots leaders they had an obligation to guide the electorate in making the right choices.

“We have many candidates running, but considering all factors, Maluki is the best in terms ability, exposure, temperament and accessibility by all people,” Mr Thuvi said during the launch at Matinyani market.

Mr Thuvi and his colleagues urged voters to pick the young Mwendwa during Wiper party nominations set for Tuesday, saying he has the best credentials in articulating the issues affecting the constituency at the National Assembly.

Mr. Mwendwa is battling for the Wiper ticket with Mr Nyenze’s widow, Edith Vethi Nyenze who is being backed by Kauwi MCA Jane Mutua.

Mr. Mwendwa promised to serve all people without bias or favour saying his candidacy represents a fresh start in managing the affairs of the constituency, and urged voters to elect him as Wiper party’s candidate.

“As a new comer in politics, I represent renewed freshness and hope for future. Am confident of winning the Wiper ticket and I urge voters to pick a candidate who can deliver the seat to Wiper and the Nasa coalition,” Mr. Mwendwa said.

The aspirant, whose late father Kitili Mwendwa and mother Nyiva Mwendwa served as MPs for the area, joins the race buoyed by the political legacy of his parents who enjoyed huge following in their heydays.

The prominent Mwendwa family is known for exceptional firsts where their late father was Kenya’s first African Chief Justice and the mother was the country’s first woman cabinet minister.

However, the young Mwendwa urged voters to evaluate his leadership capabilities as an individual saying his parents had their chance to serve the area and now is the time for a younger generation propel the constituency to greater heights of development.

“It is time for our generation to lead and serve our great constituency. I’ll be your servant as we deal with our social and economic challenges in a truly inclusive and consultative approach,” he said.

The campaign launch was graced by 15 MCAs from other constituencies, business and church leaders who endorsed him for the seat and urged voters to choose their next MP wisely.

He urged other aspirants including his main rival in Wiper primaries including Mr Nyenze’s widow  to conduct peaceful campaigns and challenged them to a televised debate on who has the best manifesto, exposure, temperament and passion to serve.

Mrs. Nyenze, who will launch her campaigns today (Sunday) at Kauwi market, dismissed social media reports linking her to a secret State House visit last week.

Speaking through her young brother, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, she denied the reports that she was taken by former Kitui Senator David Musila to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta, to be condoled for her husband’s death, as fabricated to dent her loyalty to the Wiper party.

The unverified reports have caused uproar among Wiper loyalists who may not want an MP who will play double standards once elected.

The late Nyenze shocked party faithful in June last year when he openly called for the re-election of President Kenyatta, despite being the Minority leader in the parliament.

Mrs. Nyenze, a former secondary school principal, retired last year from Retirement Benefits Authority while Mr. Mwendwa has been the chairman of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).

The Wiper nominations pitting the young Mwendwa and Mrs. Nyenze rekindles memories of the Nyiva Mwendwa – Francis Nyenze political rivalry of the yesteryears and presents a dilemma for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka since the two leading candidates seeking his party ticket are his bosom friends.

Mr. Nyenze was the Minority leader in the last parliament having been nominated to the plum position by Mr. Musyoka, while Maluki’s family has a long standing relationship with the former Vice President dating as back as 1980s.