All political parties have cancelled their campaign rallies six days to Machakos senatorial by-election following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directives on Covid-19.
Several party leaders with candidates contesting for the seat announced that they had canceled their planned campaigns following the President’s directives stating that all lives matter.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said they cancelled their rallies because the President had issued a directive suspending all political rallies and campaigns in Kenya.
Kalonzo said though they had lined up several rallies across the county ahead of the March 18 by-election, they had cancelled them, but resorted to other strategies of meeting the electorate while lobbying for votes.
“We have divided ourselves as leaders and conducting a meet the people tour as we dram up political support for our senatorial candidate Agnes Kavindu,” Kalonzo said.
He led a delegation to campaign for Kavindu at AIC Mumandu church in Machakos, AIC Athi River, and First Baptist Church in Athi River before conducting a meet-the-people tour in Athi River and Mlolongo towns.
Kalonzo was accompanied by Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti, senators Mutula Junior (Makuenui), Sylvia Kasanga (nominated) and his Makueni counterpart Enock Wambua, MPs Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti), woman representatives Joyce Kamene (Machakos), Rose Museo (Makueni) and Irine Kasalu (Kitui) and former Kibwezi West MP Kalembe Ndile.
Wiper conducted its last rallies in Tala, Matuu and Katangi towns in Matungulu and Yatta sub-counties on Friday before they cancelled after the President issued the directive.
Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula also attended the rallies.
They pleaded with Machakos electorate to vote for Kavindu so as not to embarrass Kalonzo.
The leaders welcomed Uhuru's directive that all political campaigns should be stopped due to Covid-19 surge in the country saying it was a good move since all lives matter.
"The President has issued a directive stopping political rallies though we had planned to camp in Machakos as we mobilise votes for Kavindu, we welcome the directive. All lives matter whether for politicians or ordinary Kenyans. We will abide by the directive," Mudavadi said.
Kalonzo on Sunday criticised churches for what he said was allowing themselves to be compromised by politicians.
“Churches in Kenya sometimes become compromised even by politicians. Instead of worshiping God, they worship individuals. Someone gives out Sh1 million to the church and he is seen as God,” Kalonzo said.
Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader and 2022 presidential aspirant Alfred Mutua backed Uhuru’s ban on public rallies and vowed his government will team up with other law enforcement agencies to enforce the directive.
Mutua said although there was a by-election scheduled for next week, it was critical that all political and public gatherings be stopped in public interest to safeguard the health of the public.
“I support fully this call for politicians—myself included—to cease and desist holding political meetings and rallies. This is the time for saving lives. I ask my colleagues everywhere to obey the law. Here in Machakos where a by-election is approaching, my party of Maendeleo Chap Chap will obey the law,” he said.
He warned that any person caught violating the law will face the full force of the law. “We are not going to hold public rallies. We will protect the lives of our people according to the rules and regulations of covid-19 protocols. My inspectorate team together with the police is ready to arrest any person who defies the directive even if it is myself,” Mutua said.
Maendeleo Chap Chap candidate Mutua Katuku said he had suspended all his public rallies but will conduct underground campaigns. He said his opponents should also do the same for a level ground.
UDA candidate Ulbarnus Ngengele said he had heeded to the directive hence expected low voter turnout in the mini-poll.
-Edited by Sarah Kanyara