Kangemi ward is a very unique ward found within the populous Westlands constituency which was mapped in Kenya in 1963. The constituency has five wards, namely Kitisuru, Parklands/Highbridge, Karura, Mountain View, and Kangemi. These wards are densely populated but Kangemi is the seat of Westlands Politics.
There is an old perception that if you are seeking to become the leader of the Westlands Constituency, you must first appease the rich vote ward of Kangemi, if you fail to touch the heart of Kangemi with your palm, then leading Westlands becomes an uphill task.
All office predecessors whom Hon. Tim Wanyonyi succeded had no option but to assuage the great people of Kangemi Ward. Kangemi Ward holds a special place in the heart of Westlands Politics and it is for these reasons that we cover it in our Ward Politics. Since its inception, Kangemi Ward has always had a new Counselor or Mca after every general election. It is only Kio Murathe who went for 3 terms and was succeeded by Duncan Kizengwa, followed by Peter Isuswa, now Paul Mahamba.
As the general election of 2022 hots up on the horizon, many are angling to take a stab at the Ward leadership. Many are preparing their muscles to take on the incumbent who is non-other than Hon. Paul Shilaho Mahamba, a humble leader who won the seat on ODM.
Now allow us to look at the intrigues and possibilities of the candidates who have shown interest in dislodging Hon. Paul Mahamba. What are their chances, obstacles, and opportunities?
- Nominated Hon. Caroline Mayunzu.
Hon. Mayunzu as she is known to many followers of her politics in Westlands Constituency has declared her interest in challenging the sitting Mca on the ODM ticket in the general election of 2022. Hon. Mayunzu has an uphill task due to the ODM incumbency.
If Hon. Paul Mahamba will defend his seat, then, Hon Mayunzu will have to first beat him on the ODM nomination before she faces other possible obstacles who will be eyeing the same seat on other political parties.
This is where the rubber meets the road. Does she have the political muscle to wrestle power from Hon. Paul Mahamba? Will her quest to be the next MCA for Kangemi Ward come to fruition. Will Hon. Paul Mahamba give her the way easily? The judge.
2. Suleiman Maleya Hamisi.
Hon. Hamisi is popularly known in Kangemi Ward politics as Kombato-Kombato an ambitious candidate who is now the Westlands ANC chairman. He is a serious mobilizer who lost to Paul Mahamba in the ODM primaries in 2017. Had he not lost in the primaries, today he could be the Kangemi Ward representative.
Hon. Hamisi Maleya has strong roots in Kangemi Ward and as the politics of Hon. Mayunzu and Hon. Paul Mahamba seems to be tearing the ODM base into two factions, Hon. Suleiman Hamisi is well-positioned to reap big from the warring factions. In the ANC camp, there is no big headache for the ANC chairman. He is well-positioned to carry the ANC flag to the ballot without serious opposition in his sight.
There is no way Hon. Hamisi will waste his shooting boots in the coming general election. He is busy on the ground with many boots in every place in Kangemi Ward. Going by the developments in the ODM camp, the split spirit will easily earn Hon. Hasimi a chance to step into County Assembly whichever way the question of Hon. Mayunzu and Hon. Mahamba will be settled.
3. Hon. Paul Mahamba.
Hon. Paul Mahamba trounced former MCA in the primaries and it was clear he was headed for victory because ANC had no organized candidate who was strong enough to challenge Ho. Paul Mahamba. Another variable that aided his victory was the Nasa coalition.
So it was easy for the incumbent to sail through because all forces combined from all political parties of ANC, FORD, WIPER, and ODM to give him victory. Even though some people voted for candidates in these political parties, their votes were too small to threaten Hon. Mahamba. As the 2022 storm comes closer and closer, the Kangemi Ward ODM base is split into two factions one led by Hon. Mayunzu and another by Hon. Paul Mahamba.
Which way for ODM in Kangemi Ward? Hon. Mayunzu or Hon. Mahamba? Who will win in the primaries? These are questions many political pundits in the Ward are battling with. Hon Mayunzu is mobilizing her base and Hon Mahamba is doing his best to retain his base?
Bottom line, whoever wins the ODM ticket will have an uphill task of dealing with Hon. Hamisi in the Ward. The battle will be between ANC and ODM and results will be declared in August 2022. Stay here for more analysis for other WARDs in Nairobi and the entire country.
