Jubilee loser in Kajiado Central by-election nomination defects to ODM

By WILFRED AYAGA
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000149313/jubilee-loser-in-kajiado-central-nomination-defects-to-odm/

By WILFRED AYAGA
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000149313/jubilee-loser-in-kajiado-central-nomination-defects-to-odm/

 26.01.2015

By WILFRED AYAGA

KAJIADO, KENYA: The stakes in the Kajiado Central by-election have gone higher after one of the losers in the Jubilee Alliance Party primaries defected to the rival Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Memusi Kanchori jumped ship to ODM, claiming that the Jubilee nominations in which he lost to Patrick Tutui were shambolic and that he will lead his supporters to the Opposition party in protest. "We are disappointed by the way the nominations were conducted. We expected the nominations to be free and fair, but it turned out into a shambolic exercise. We have now agreed with my people to move to ODM where we belonged in the first place," Kanchori said at Orange House where he was received by party officials. Kanchori garnered 10,100 votes against Tutui's 10,502 during the jubilee nominations. The Kajiado Central seat was left vacant following the appointment of Joseph Nkaissery to the cabinet. ODM Secretary General, Ababu Namwamba warned Nkaissery against interfering in the by-election and claimed that Kanchori’s defection is a sign that the party still enjoys support in the constituency with over 38,000 registered voters. "We would like to welcome Kanchori to the party, but also tell Nkaissery that he should respect the party that took him to Parliament. Even as he settles in his news position in government, let him not disturb our party," said Namwamba while receiving Kanchori. See also: Jubilee Alliance Party savours success in nominations The defection is likely to send the Jubilee coalition back to the drawing board, as it seeks to consolidate its support in the constituency. Kanchori will on the other hand be hoping that his support during the nomination will translate into votes for the Orange Party. He has already won the backing of Captain Antony Kiroken who was third in the Jubilee nominations, with 7,666 votes.
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