Kibaki party wins by-elections
2006-07-25 14:26
Marsabit - A new party linked to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki had won three out of five seats in key by-elections, said officials on Tuesday.
The by-elections were seen as a crucial test for Kibaki after a humiliating defeat in a constitutional referendum last year, followed by a string of corruption scandals that forced three of his ministers to resign.
The results were seen as an indication of Kibaki's chances in a general election next year, when he was expected to stand again.
Partial results gave National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya (Narc-Kenya), a party formed by Kibaki's allies, three seats. The official opposition Kenya African National Union (Kanu) won two.
The seats fell vacant after five politicians died in a plane crash while on a peace mission in the drought and violence-hit Northern Province in April.
The western Nakuru town constituency, with voters from most of Kenya's tribes, was considered to be the most competitive. Analysts said its outcome could offer clues on next year's election.
'Results reflect sympathy'
The constituency was won by Narc-Kenya's candidate William Mirugi, the son of former legislator Mirugi Kariuki, who died in the crash.
Narc-Kenya also won two seats in northern Kenya. The seats had previously been held by Kanu.
Some analysts played down the significance of Kibaki's wins, saying the results reflected sympathy voting for the victims of the crash.
The winners mainly inherited seats from their dead relatives - except in constituencies, where two widows lost because of a cultural taboo to vote for women.
A political consultant Tom Wolf said: "There was a great deal of sympathy because it is such a short term to next year, the relatives will be allowed to complete the journey."
Kanu confident of 2007 victory
Kanu retained two constituencies in Northern Province, where Kibaki's government was accused by opposition parties and local residents of bribing voters with food relief or breaking electoral law by using state resources to campaign for Narc-Kenya.
Francis Kiunjuri, assistant minister for energy and a founder of Narc-Kenya, said: "We are now confident we are going to win the 2007 election.
"The win shows Kenyans now appreciate what the government is doing on the ground."
Kibaki's ruling National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) disintegrated after defeating former president Daniel arap Moi's Kanu in 2002.
The former ruling coalition partner, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), moved to the opposition.
LDP, led by charismatic politician Raila Odinga, was a big loser in these polls.
Analysts said the party could swing a surprise in 2007, if it forms strong coalition with other parties, including Kanu.