Politics

By Teresa Magenya Forty three women took part in a sukuma wiki cutting competition targeting “mama mboga’s” at Ongata Rongai Open Air Market in Kajiado North constituency. The initiative, launched by Jubilee Party parliamentary aspirant Leiyan Roimen, seeks to empower women market traders across Kajiado North constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking during the event, Roimen said the programme would be rolled out in different markets across the constituency to give more women an opportunity to participate in similar activities and win prizes. He added that the initiative would culminate in a final competition with the overall winner set to receive 500 000 Kenya shillings which will be presented by Jubilee deputy party leader Dr. Fred Matiangi. The participants at Ongata Rongai open air market received gifts while the top three winners walked away with cash prizes to boost their vegetable stocks and strengthen their businesses. The top three winners from each market will also advance to the constituency-level final competition for a chance to win 500 000 Kenya shillings. The participants will be judged on cleanliness, packaging and presentation of their vegetables. Roimen, who is seeking the Kajiado North parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, was accompanied by fellow aspirants from the party during the event.

Oloolua Ward MCA Eli Gor has earned a new political nickname “Mr Beans” after distributing beans and rice to a large group of residents in Olooua and Embulbul, but a local researcher says the controversy surrounding the nickname points to a much bigger issues of food insecurity and poverty. The food distribution initiative by MCA Gor drew both praise from beneficiaries and political criticism from his rivals, who subsequently branded him “Mr Beans.” However, Brian Mugwe, a researcher based in Ong’ata Rongai, says political nicknames are often deliberately coined by opponents as a way of teasing political leaders and potentially weakening their support. “Behind every nickname, there is a story. Gor was attempting to mitigate a hunger crisis in Oloolua. There is a population in Kenya which is struggling with food. That is the reality. The hunger crisis is the story that needs to be told,” Mugwe said. The debate comes at a time when poverty and food insecurity remain significant challenges in Kenya. An Oxfam inequality report cited by the researcher puts Kenya’s extreme poverty rate at 46 per cent, ranking the country among those with some of the highest levels of extreme poverty globally. According to the report, despite Kenya recording significant economic growth over the past decade, excluding 2020, an additional seven million Kenyans have fallen into extreme poverty since 2015. The report also highlights the concentration of wealth in the country, stating that the richest 125 Kenyans hold more wealth than 77 per cent of the population which is equivalent to about 42.6 million people. Food insecurity has also worsened. The report indicates that the number of Kenyans experiencing moderate and severe food insecurity increased by 17 million between 2014 and 2024, representing a 71 per cent rise. For residents facing food shortages, therefore, the beans and rice distributed by Gor may represent more than a political gesture. “For now, the beans and rice distributed by MCA Gor is a lifeline for many families struggling with poverty,” Mugwe said. But Mugwe argues that food donations, while providing immediate relief, cannot provide a permanent solution to poverty. He advised elected leaders, including members of the county assembly, to prioritise on policies and development programmes that can improve household incomes and create employment opportunities. “Gor and other members of the county assembly must create laws that will encourage farming and a conducive business environment that will attract quality investors who will create well paying jobs,” he said. The Oxfam report similarly recommends progressive taxation, increased investment in essential public services such as education and healthcare, creation of quality jobs and addressing land inequality as measures that could help reduce inequality. “Inequality and poverty reinforce each other. When economic resources and opportunities are concentrated in fewer hands, it worsens poverty for those at the bottom who also must pay to access essential public services due to the state’s failure to provide these services,” the report states. Mugwe says Gor should not necessarily be concerned about the nickname, but should instead use the attention to push for long term development in Oloolua. “For Oloolua residents, the debate over “Mr Beans” therefore raises a question that extends beyond political rivalry. How can leaders move from providing short term relief to creating the economic opportunities that enable families to consistently afford food?” Mugwe said.

2027 Ngong Ward MCA aspirant Mohammed Hassan, has called on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to expel nominated MCA Nais Karia from the party following her reported defection to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). Speaking on Karia’s move to DCP, Hassan said UDA should withdraw her nomination, arguing that her decision to leave the party meant she could no longer be trusted to represent it. “Now that Karia, who was nominated by UDA, has decamped to DCP, UDA should strip off her nomination because she can no longer be trusted,” Hassan said. In response to our request for a response on Mr Hassan’s statement, Nais Karia has shared the following statement to Elveza Media; “Hon. Nais Karia has officially joined the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), marking a new political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election and reaffirming her commitment to serving the people of Kajiado County. Announcing the decision following extensive consultations with residents and her political team, Hon. Karia said the move reflects her desire to remain responsive to the views and aspirations of the people she seeks to represent. “I have not changed the people I want to serve; I have changed the political platform throughwhich I believe I can best serve them.” Hon. Karia said she had engaged widely with women, young people, pastoralists, farmers, business owners and families across Kajiado County before making the decision. “Leadership begins with listening. Any serious leader must remain connected to the people they seek to represent. This decision is broader than an election; it is about where I believe I can most effectively pursue the interests of Kajiado and serve our people better,” she said. While announcing her move to DCP, Hon. Karia acknowledged her previous association with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Government, expressing appreciation for the relationships, experiences and opportunities gained during that period. The change in political direction should not be interpreted as a rejection of everything she previously supported, noting that leadership requires the ability to listen, learn and respond to changing circumstances. Hon. Karia also called for tolerance and mutual respect among supporters across the political divide. “Political differences should never turn neighbours, friends and colleagues into enemies. I respect those who may disagree with my decision, just as I ask them to respect my decision to take a different political path,” she said. Explaining her decision to join DCP, Hon. Karia said she believes the party provides a platform through which she can work with others to advance the interests of Kajiado residents and contribute to the change she wants to see in the country. “My team and I believe in DCP and its leadership as agents of the change we want to see in our country. I join fellow DCP leaders and supporters in Kajiado County, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with them for a better future for our people,” she said. Hon. Karia stressed that joining an opposition party would not prevent her from supporting government programmes and initiatives that benefit Kajiado residents. “I respect the President and the institutions of Government. Where Government delivers something that benefits the people of Kajiado, I will support it. Where I believe our people deserve better, I will have the courage to speak up. My politics will remain focused on the interests of our people, not opposition for the sake of opposition,” she said. Looking ahead to the 2027 Kajiado County Woman Representative race, Hon. Karia said her focus remains on service, accessibility and continued engagement with residents. “Ultimately, the people of Kajiado will decide who deserves their confidence and the responsibility of representing them. I intend to present myself on the basis of service, accessibility, integrity and commitment to the issues affecting women, young people andfamilies across our county,” she said. Hon. Karia reaffirmed that despite the change in political affiliation, her commitment to Kajiado remains firm. “Political platforms may change, but my priority remains the same for the people of Kajiado. Our women, young people, pastoralists, farmers, businesses and families will remain at the centre of my leadership and service.” Under the ⁠Political Parties Act, Nominated MCAs hold their seats through their specific political party lists, submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). If a nominated member of the assembly changes allegiance to another political party, the party that nominated her can trigger a replacement. One such case of expulsion is that of Nominated Senator, Ms Gloria Orwoba, who was expelled from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which had nominated her. Ms Orwoba lost her seat after being accused by UDA party of disloyalty towards the party and expelled her. Her position was taken over by Ms Wakwabubi, who was the next on the party nomination list. The issue raises questions about the status of nominated MCAs who leave the political parties, through whose nomination lists they secured their seats. Under Kenya’s political parties framework, nominated county assembly members obtain their positions through party lists submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Where a vacancy occurs, the relevant political party can initiate the process of replacing the member in accordance with the law and its nomination list. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) also has a role in determining whether a member can legally be deemed to have resigned from a political party. According to the ORPP, when the Registrar receives a complaint from a person seeking to have a political party member deemed to have resigned, the Registrar assesses whether the complaint is justified. Where the Registrar determines that there is a reasonably justifiable cause, the member concerned and their political party are notified. The party is then required, within seven days, to constitute its National Executive Committee to consider whether the member should be deemed to have resigned and communicate its decision to the Registrar. Where the complaint is insufficient, it is dismissed and the complainant notified of the decision. The question of party loyalty…