Kamichore Mutindira
Monday, August 29, 2011
The win for Yusuf Hassan Abdi of PNU in Kamukunji is an indication that anybody can stand for elective position anywhere in the republic.
It was not a win for one arm of the government or faith but a show of political maturity in the metropolis.
Kenyans should stop labelling the winner a Muslim and the electorate should change their view that a Somali has won.
The Kamukunji by-election presented a 31 per cent voter turnout, which could imply voter lethargy.
This was preceded by a petition case which dragged on for months on end leading to the by-election. It was also a protest vote in which the voters chose to be led by an academician.
The new MP has expectations since he is fresh and untainted with ethnic sludge. Mr Hassan will have an uphill task to strike a balance between politics and service provision.
The new MP has his job well cut out. Crumbling infrastructure, uncontrolled development and a discontented electorate are some of the issues he needs to tackle urgently.
Looking at it in view of the 2012 General Election, we do not know how the vote would go in a situation where 70 per cent of voters showed up.
No party should, therefore, imagine Kamukunji is theirs for the taking.
But, for now, I wish Mr Hassan a joyous ride.
Kamichore Mutindira, Nairobi.