By Betty Luke
Bulapesa MCA race is shaping into three horse race between Party of National Unity’s and former MCA Moses Kithinji, Usawa kwa Wote’s Lydia Muthoni Ngichili and Jamal Ahmed Bolty.
Over 20 aspirants are angling for the seat currently occupied by Idd Hassan Kimathi who is seeking reelection on Safina Party.
Said to be a great mobiliser, Bolti who has endeared himself to the youths is likely to marshal his Somali community votes even though he faces resistance from Ismael Jama Sufi who has financial muscles to mount a rigorous campaign and sway electorates to his side.
The protested January’s Somali elders’ nominations gave Mr Sufi greenlight to vie for the seat with Bolti then claiming that some of the top elders were bribed to bend their decision.
“Residents are the ones to decide. Let’s meet at the ballot,” he then said warning Mr Sufi of a fierce battle.
Mr Kithinji’s comeback bid is hinged on his track record between 2013 and 2017 which is hailed and castigated by residents in equal measure.
“You all know what I did and did not,” he said during a meeting in March last year while promising to focus on improved infrastructure, fair bursary issuance and youth and women empowerment if elected in August polls.
Perceived as bold and one who never shies away from speaking his mind, Mr Kithinji’s supporters say he fits the bill to represent Bulapesa residents as will passionately fight for and safeguard their rights.
His critics dislike his “drama and antics” and say Bulapesa deserve a “more serious” leader.
Mrs Ngichili’s two-year-old education program targeting needy learners in the region has endeared her to the Mwananchi boosting her quest to become the Isiolo’s first elected female MCA.
Having spread the assistance across the communities living in Bulapesa, the program that has supported over 50 students has made her make forays in other communities which will boost her bid if at all it translates to votes.
Though Mrs Ngichili popularly known as Mama Masomo faces competition from Agikuyu’s Jane Wanjiku Shkwela of Chama cha Kazi, The New Democrat’s Stephen Ngunjiri Koroga and TSP’s David Waithaka, majority from the community are seen to be leaning on her side.
“While I personally want a good leader, one who has already shown me he or she can help, is the one I will elect,” Ms Saraphina Wamwoyo says.
The aspirant, some of her supporters say, has focused much on charity work and forgotten to sell her agenda as August 9 elections draw closer.
“Doing work is one thing and presenting yourself to the electorates is another. Many people could have seen her development but want to attach a face to it. That way, they can gauge her leadership skills,” Simon Kisilu, a political analyst says.
Seen as underdog in the race, Devolution Empowerment’s Witherford Mwirigi is gaining traction by the day and may join the three frontrunners if the trio fails to upscale their campaigns.
“We are not a team that likes bragging but our candidate is fairing on well,” a supporter of Mr Mwirigi, Daniel Kimatu, says.
The race also has Republican Liberty Party’s John Kebaso, UDA’s Leloon Lekishon Mutuma, Murithi James, Joseph Mbaabu and Sarah Suleiman among others.
Party, ethnic voting patterns, mobilization skills and coalitions each candidate gets into will largely determine who will take over from Mr Idd Hassan Kimathi.
The ward has an estimated 13, 000 votes an incriment from 11, 947 votes in 2017.
