The defection of Esther Koli Wekesa recently from Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) to Jubilee has swiftly changed the political dynamics in Trans Nzoia and increased the chances of the ruling party winning seats in the region that had initially been tipped to be associated with other Western parties.
Known to the region’s electorate as ‘Msupa na kazi’, for the projects she has initiated and the vision she has, Koli who will be having a second stab on the Trans Nzoia County Women Representative position, after unsuccessfully vying for the seat in 2017 on an ODM ticket where she garnered 68,711 votes, becomes the latest big catch for Jubilee, after the defections of Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke who had been a staunch United Democratic Alliance (UDA) supporter in the region before shifting allegiance last week, Kakamega County Senatorial position aspirant Ssemi Aina who joined from DAP-K, Webuye West aspirant John Musundi who joined from ODM and Webuye East aspirant Caroline Buyela who also joined Jubilee from DAP Kenya.
The law required that all candidates must belong to a registered party by March 26 if they are to vie for any office in the August polls unless they are running as independent candidates.
Waluke who in 2017 won the Sirisia seat with 18,077 votes on a Jubilee ticket, will be seeking to retain the seat with the same party again, while Musundi was third in the Webuye West contest in 2017, where he garnered 6,279 votes in an ODM ticket.“I decided to join Jubilee after DAP-K decided to give my opponent Janet Nangabo direct nomination.
Now we will face-off at the ballot box during the August 9 General Elections and I promise to deliver the seat for Jubilee,” Koli told Media Guru.Koli’s move may see several aspirants associated with her, from the constituency level to the wards level, be tempted to follow her tracks to Jubilee, owing to her newly found popularity in the County.
The flamboyant business lady who has a degree in marketing, was recently endorsed by all the 18 Luhya sub tribes residing in Trans Nzoia during a major function at her home in Cherangany, Kipkeikei Village and given the fact that she is married to the famous McKenzie Wekesa’s family, she expects to get the backing of the Bukusu sub tribe which makes majority of the registered voters in Trans Nzoia.
“Out of the 18 luhya subtribes, Bukusus command about 40 per cent of the registered voters in Trans Nzoia, then the remaining 17 sub tribes command about 30 per cent of the registered voters. I’m glad to have received the endorsement of these sub tribes as their preferred candidate for the women rep position and we went ahead to celebrate the endorsement at one of the elders home in Bidii ward, Kwanza Constituency,” said Koli who is married to one of the sons of the famous McKenzie Wekesa, Engineer Reuben Wekesa of Kipkeikei Village and Minex farm in Sibanga.She added: “I have also met all the other communities living in this county and shared my manifesto with them and also given the fact that I am the only leader seeking a top County position from Cherenganyi, the Kalenjin community who are the majority in the constituency, have vowed to throw their weight behind me.”Trans Nzoia County has five constituencies, Cherangany, Kwanza, Saboti, Endebess and Kiminini.
The women rep position has so far attracted the candidature of Koli (Jubilee), incumbent Nangabo who will be seeking a third term on a DAP-K ticket, Lilian Sioyi (UDA) and Susan Nakumicha (Ford Kenya) among others.Nangabo was booed and ended up not addressing the crowd during the home coming ceremony of gubernatorial aspirant George Natembeya at Kenyatta Stadium in Kitale, an indication that the electorate were hostile with her after her two terms.
The law required that all candidates must belong to a registered party by March 26 if they are to vie for any office in the August polls unless they are running as independent candidates.
Waluke who in 2017 won the Sirisia seat with 18,077 votes on a Jubilee ticket, will be seeking to retain the seat with the same party again, while Musundi was third in the Webuye West contest in 2017, where he garnered 6,279 votes in an ODM ticket.“I decided to join Jubilee after DAP-K decided to give my opponent Janet Nangabo direct nomination.
Hon Esther koli wekesa,she is the only candidature that she bring restoration to our county .
Apart from all luhya Tribes ,we ask every tribes in transnzoia to support her for the betterment of our county
This yrs ni yako mummy