Kimani Ichung’wa blames Opposition losses on ‘tribal’ campaign messaging
Ichung’wa said the Opposition had failed to articulate issues of national importance to voters, instead resorting to tribal narratives aimed at dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.
Majority Leader in the National Assembly and Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wa has attributed the poor performance of opposition parties in the by-elections to their focus on tribalism.
Speaking to the Eastleigh Voice on Friday, Ichung’wa said the Opposition had failed to articulate issues of national importance to voters, instead resorting to tribal narratives aimed at dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.
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“The people of Kenya are intelligent, and they can see through this group’s campaign of hatred, ethnic division, and insults, with no agenda for the people of Kenya,” said Ichung’wa.
He said this even as President William Ruto led his team in sending congratulatory messages to all candidates who won under the broad-based arrangement.
The President acknowledged leaders allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for their performance at the polls.
He cited the victories of David Ndakwa (Malava), Leonard Wamuthende (Mbeere North), Ahmed Maalim Hassan (Banisa), Vincent Chemitei (Baringo), Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), and Boyd Were (Kasipul), noting that their results reflected the value of unity in national politics.
“Your victory is a reminder that we are stronger as a country when we are united,” Ruto said.
The by-elections, held on 27 November, produced mixed results for both established and emerging political parties.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on the other hand, has congratulated candidates from the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) who won in Thursday’s by-elections, describing the party as an emerging political force with strong grassroots appeal.
In a statement issued on Friday, Gachagua commended the three newly elected leaders for securing victories in their respective ward races.
He noted that the wins were a significant milestone for DCP, which he described as a relatively new party that had managed to gain traction within a short period.
He attributed the results to voter engagement and the efforts of candidates to remain connected with their communities throughout the campaign period.
“On behalf of the DCP and our members, I offer my congratulations to Douglas Masikonde, David Warui, and Dickson Okwiri Aduda for winning the Narok Township, Kariobangi North, and Kisa East wards, respectively,” he said.
Gachagua also praised voters for participating in the elections and for choosing leaders based on their interaction with the community.
He encouraged aspiring politicians within the party to stay active at the grassroots level.
“I urge all those who wish to contest under our party to remain on the ground and to continuously engage the electorate,” he stated, adding that the party’s early wins were encouraging for its future growth.
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