Jubilee Party has gained significant ground in Nyamira, a county seen as an opposition stronghold, some Nyamira leaders have said. Speaking a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta concluded a two-day visit of the Nyamira and Kisii counties, the leaders said the political landscape has shifted.
“The county is no longer NASA-dominated. We are targeting 60 per cent of the region’s votes from the 26 the President got in the last election,” Nyamira assembly speaker Joash Nyamoko said. “The President had a wonderful and successful tour of the county. He got a good reception even from areas perceived to be opposition strongholds like Nyamira town.”
Nyamoko is seeking the North Mugirango MP seat on JP. The speaker said the compensation given to IDPs is a milestone and will boost JP’s numbers.
He said professionals from the community campaigning for Uhuru will help JP trounce NASA. The speaker’s sentiments were supported by Borabu MP aspirant Patrick Osero. “We have realised that we were ‘milking a bull’ by supporting the opposition. We made mistakes and on August 8, the Kisii community will rally behind the President,” he said.
“The President traversed Nyamira and went to remote areas where he was received with jubilation. He also addressed key issues like IDP compensation and the roads infrastructure,” said Kitutu Masaba Jubilee MP aspirant Shadrack Mose on the phone.
“President Uhuru will get more votes in Nyamira than last time. JP candidates will also garner more seats than in the last election.”
However, opposition MPs Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba) and Borabu’s Ben Momanyi said Uhuru’s trip will not sway voters who have resolved to support NASA presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga. The lawmakers dismissed the Sh830 million compensation for IDPs from the region, terming it a mockery.
Bosire was addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings yesterday. Kisii IDPs got Sh358 million and Sh470 million went to those from Nyamira.
Bosire said the IDPs have the right to be compensated, but questioned the timing and the motive of doing it. “What criteria were used to arrive at the figure – which averagely translates into about Sh50,000 per household – when the same government dished out Sh400,000 per IDP in Rift Valley and other parts of the country?” Bosire said.