JUBILEE supporters in Malindi yesterday jammed a venue where Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula were due to address a rally in support of Willy Mtengo.
More than 100 youths held demonstrations in the Msabaha area of Malindi, protesting against the Cord principals.
The incident happened ahead of today’s ceremonies where the IEBC is due to clear all those vying for the seat.
Political temperatures are high in the constituency as it is exactly one month before the by- election on Monday March 7 to replace Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu in the seat.
Raila, Kalonzo and Wetang’ula are expected to lead thousands of Cord supporters to escort Mtengo to present his nomination papers at the IEBC offices opposite the Malindi law courts.
Mtengo will be the first to present his nomination papers this morning, between 8.30am and 10am, followed by Jubilee candidate Phillip Charo.
Charo will be flanked by over 13 Coast MPs, led by Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro.
Other candidates expected to present their nomination papers are Reuben Mwamure (Kadu Asili), Peter Ponda (Chama Cha Uzalendo), Ahmed Mohamed (Agenda Party) and Yusuf Abubakar (Federal Party).
Official campaigns are expected to start today and the battle is expected to be between Jubilee and ODM.
Since the Malindi seat was declared vacant the constituency has been a hive of activity and has hosted top leaders, including President Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta camped in Malindi for three days and now the Cord principals will be in town for several days to drum up support for their candidate.
The results of the March 7 by-election will be a big test for both Cord and Jubilee ahead of the 2017 General Election.
It will also be a double test for Mung’aro as he would want to prove his ability to be the Coast kingpin, a contest be between him and Governor Hassan Joho and at the same time prove that he could well beat Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi in the gubernatorial race.
The youths who jammed Raila’s venue sang songs praising JAP and the Jubilee administration for their development record and vowed not to welcome the Cord principals at a rally scheduled to take place at Msabaha.
Earlier, Jubilee leaders had vowed to prove to Raila that the town was not an ODM zone.
-the-star.co.ke
