President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga are in for a tough time as political parties prepare for their primaries ahead of the 2017 elections.
The two leaders are staring at a possibility of high-profile defections from their parties as titans in their political sides go head to head for party tickets for the upcoming polls.
In some of Kenyatta and Odinga strongholds, political heavyweights have already declared they’ll have to be on the ballot at all cost.
What complicates the situation is the new law barring aspirants from defecting to other parties after losing nomination slots in their parties.
This, therefore, signals a likelihood of high profile exits from CORD and Jubilee by disgruntled politicians who will feel they are not guaranteed of the party ticket.
On Wednesday, President Kenyatta’s advisor Kilemi Mwiria bolted out of the Jubilee Party after coming to terms with the slim chances he stood in getting the Jubilee ticket to contest for the Meru gubernatorial seat.
Here are nomination headaches Uhuru and Raila will finally have to deal with.
1. Embu County
In the race for the Embu gubernatorial seat, incumbent Governor Martin Wambora, Senator Lenny Kivuti and Runjes MP Cecily Mbarire all want the Jubilee ticket for the Governorship race.
The three have been embroiled in a growing political feud that has in some cases played out in public.
2. Kiambu County
Governor William Kabogo and Kabete Member of Parliament (MP) Ferdinand Waititu have already declared it will be a do-or-die battle for the County’s governorship.
The two fierce rivals want the Jubilee ticket.
3. Murang’a
Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, both Jubilee heavyweights will also be going head to head for the ticket to be the next county boss.
4. Narok
Incumbent Narok Governor Samwel ole Tunai, MPs Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok-West) and Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok-North) are also locked in a fierce battle for the Jubilee ticket in the gubernatorial race.
Ole Ntutu is said to be considering defection to guarantee himself a nomination ticket.
5. Kisumu
The same nomination headache is hitting hard in Kisumu where three of Raila Odinga’s close ally’s are eyeing the ODM ticket.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o and Raila’s sister Ruth Odinga are also staring at the same dilemma of bolting out of the party to guarantee nomination or hang on for an uncertain fate.
6. Siaya
In Siaya, ODM heavyweights Siaya Senator James Orengo and Rarienda MP Nicholas Gumbo are all gunning up to take on incumbent Governor Cornel Rasanga who is a diehard supporter of Raila, whoe is the party leader.
As the D-day draws nearer, it remains to be seen how the party leaders will weather the raging storm to avert any disastrous consequences from befalling their camps.
