The just concluded by-election in Makadara, Starehe and Juja Constituencies attracted at least seven women which saw Orange Democratic Movement’s Bishop Margaret Wanjiru successfully defending her Starehe seat beating her close rival and petitioner Mr Maina Kamanda by 29,287 votes. Though not successful in their parliamentary debut agenda, other women aspirants put on a spirited fight.Bishop Wanjiru is the only female Member of Parliament whose 2007 election victory had been challenged through a court petition.The petition was filed by the former Member of Parliament for Starehe and a one time Sports Minister who garnered 25,416 votes in the by-election.

Development Record

Although it was expected to be a contest between Bishop Wanjiru and Mr. Kamanda, many thought Bishop Wanjiru risked losing the by-election based on her stand in the referendum on the constitution held last month. Voters in constituency encompasses the Central Business District (CBD) and houses the Office of the president, the high court and other key offices however cast their ballot based on Wanjiru’s development tract record.

Bishop Wanjiru’s victory in the by-election is largely attributed to her development blue print in her constituency. While on the campaign trail, Bishop Wanjiru focused on the development initiatives she has established for her constituents as well as pending projects to be completed in the constituency.

For the three years that Bishop Wanjiru has been in office she has among other things fostered the construction of toilets for residents of Mathare slums, the construction of a foot bridge and the Huruma social hall.

She has also sponsored youth tournaments by providing new uniforms and balls.  The tournaments are viewed as a key avenue of promoting peace and creating awareness on HIV and Aids. Registered self help groups have also received support to enable them reach out to the society. Students and charitable organizations like Children's' Homes have also benefited from her leadership through donations of clothes, food stuff and bursaries to enable them to live a better lives.

Women’s big win

The by-elections are considered by other quarters as a victory for women. Even though other women candidates did not pull through to clinch their respective constituency seats, they gave their male counterparts a run for their money by attracting a sizable number of voters.

One such example is Juja’s Alice Ng’ang’a of the Kenya National Congress party who emerged second in the Juja polls beating the immediate former MP George Thuo. Mr. Thuo who had enjoyed the support of key politicians and perceived government support during the campaign period trailed at the third position.

It is however petitioner and former Member of Parliament William Kabogo of the flower party who won by a majority vote garnering 45,020 votes compared to Alice Ng’ang’a ‘s 24,326 votes and the former government chief whip Mr. Thuo’s 19,366 votes.

In Makadara constituency Ms. Consolata Kivuti of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) came fourth attracting 285 of the total voter cast

It was double victory for Narc Kenya’s Chairperson Martha Karua after her party scooped the Juja and Makadara seats at the by-election. The two constituencies were formerly represented by PNU’s George Thuo and Dickson Wathika respectively.

Another Narc Kenya victory came with Gideon Mbuvi Kioko trouncing Reuben Ndolo who was also the petitioner against Dick Wathika’s 2007 election. Although the little known businessman joined the party three months ago he has been instrumental in funding youth projects and women groups in the constituency. In the fourth place was yet another female aspirant. Wathika has since conceded defeat.

The three newest members of Parliament thanked their supports and vowed to foster development initiatives within their respective constituencies. With Karua’s eye on the presidency in 2012, analysts argue that her party’s victory in the by-election is an indicator of her ability to rally the support of voters beyond her constituency.

The three seats fell vacant after the court nullified the election results citing irregularities in the 2007 parliamentary elections in the constituencies.

Low Voter Turnout

The exercise was characterised by low voter turn out across the three constituencies. According to the statistics by the IIEC, Makadara recorded a 44 per cent voter turnout, 35 per cent turn out in Starehe while Juja recorded 43 per cent of the registered voters cast their ballots.

This was however attributed to the polling date being a working day hence most people were in their respective places of work. Polling centres opened at 6am and closed and 5.00pm as stipulated by the law.