Will the 'Kibaki Factor' Work Against Nobel Hero Maathai?

(From The Nation (Kenya) - AAGM)

Byline: Muchemi Wachira

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai has a hard task ahead to retain her Tetu seat. Many voters will be looking for a candidate who resonates with the local mood: the Kibaki factor.

This is the reason at least seven aspirants are seeking the Narc Kenya ticket, as the party is associated with President Kibaki and his supporters.

Prof Maathai has not publicly associated herself with the activities of Narc-K. She is a politician of her own and could vie on any party, as she did in 1997 on a party rivalling Mr Kibaki's Democratic Party.

Were she to do this now, she would go against the public mood. She will be competing against wealthy businessman F.T Nyammo, architect Ephantus King'ori Mukundi, lawyer Wahome Gikonyo, businessmen John Gitonga Kihoro and Mr Daniel Kimanyo Munene.

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