The widow of the late Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze has been nominated as wiper’s candidate in the upcoming by-election.

Edith Nyenze garnered 13,388 votes to beat her only opponent Kitili Maluki Mwendwa (2,663). Mwendwa is the son of Kenya’s first African chief Justice Kitili Mwendwa.

Kitui West By-Election

The Kitui West by-election, which is scheduled for March 26, was occasioned by the death of Francis Nyenze, who succumbed to colon cancer in December, four months after winning the seat in the August general elections.

Mwendwa conceded defeat and congratulated Mrs. Nyenze and further promised to support her campaigns.

“Congratulations madam. You ran a great campaign and you have my full support going forward,” he said.

Political Rivalry

The race for Kitui West MP rekindled a political rivalry touching on two powerful families; Francis Nyenze and Nyiva Mwendwa,a former cabinet minister and the mother of Maluki Mwendwa have been political rivals.

The primaries also put wiper party leader Stephen Kalonzo in a dilemma as the two families have been instrumental in his political career. Kalonzo brushed off calls to have Mrs. Nyenze given a direct nomination and maintained that the party would not give any direct nomination to anybody.

“For the sake of our party’s future growth and confidence among Kenyans, let’s give all aspirants an equal chance to seek the Wiper ticket,” said Musyoka.