Francis Nyenzes widow launches bid for Wiper ticket

The widow of former Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze has launched her bid for the Wiper Party nomination ticket to succeed her late husband who died in December 2017.

Edith Nyenze launched her bid on Monday, a day after her rival, businessman Maluki Mwendwa, who is the son of former Minister Nyiva Mwendwa launched his campaign for the ticket.

Mrs. Nyenze, who is a former high school principal and retired last year from the Retirement Benefits Authority says she is best fit for the seat since she was working as deputy to his husband while he was an MP.

During the launch of her campaign, Mrs. Nyenze expressed confidence that she would clinch the ticket, saying she was not scared to face her competitors in the party nominations

She urged the locals to turn up in large numbers to vote for on the January 16 Wiper nominations for the Kitui by-election.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua, who is Edith’s younger brother, urged his sister’s competitors to conduct free and fair campaigns ahead of the nominations, warning them against importing voters from other regions.

The Wiper nominations pitting the young Mwendwa and Mrs. Nyenze presents a dilemma for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka since the two leading candidates seeking his party ticket are his bosom friends.

The late Nyenze was the Minority leader in the last parliament having been nominated to the position by Mr. Musyoka, while Maluki Mwenda’s family has a long standing relationship with the former Vice President dating as far back as 1980s.

Whoever will win the Wiper ticket between the two will face eight other competitors from different parties in the March 26, by-election.