Jubilee Party yesterday rejected nomination papers of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga for the Laikipia senatorial seat.
Sources said the rejection was sanctioned by senior party officials. “We received instructions from senior party members not to accept his nomination papers,” said the source, who is not authorised to speak to the media.
Njenga, who intends to oust seasoned politician G G Kariuki as Laikipia county senator on a Jubilee ticket, expressed shocked at the turn of events.
Speaking at the party headquarters in Pangani, Njenga said the rejection of his nomination papers was a major setback.
“I was holed up at the fourth floor for two hours and the officials who received me at the gate did not tell me I was not wanted here,” said Njenga.
The party has cleared 4, 500 aspirants to vie for various seats in all the 47 counties. However, it is anticipated the number may to rise to 8, 000 by close of the exercise on March 10.
Jubilee has proposed new tough rules and stringent vetting measures for party candidates for the 2017 elections.
Candidates eyeing various seats in the August polls on a Jubilee ticket can now breath a sigh of relief after the party extended the nomination application deadline by five days.
Yesterday was the initial deadline for submission of documents for those seeking positions of governor, senator, MP and MCA.
However, secretary general Veronica Maina said the party had extended the deadline to March 10. She said they did not want to lock out members wishing to fly the party’s flag in the coming polls.
“We have extended the deadline for application and submission of nomination papers by five days. All cards bought must be registered and activated online,” said Njenga.
The National Executive Committee has been assigned veto powers, including disqualifying any candidate at will, after the nominations.
Noting that Laikipia was made up of a multi-ethnic county, Njenga said there was a dire need to encourage local communities to coexist.
The former Mungiki leader has pledged to end clivestock rustling at the Laikipia-Baringo border if elected senator.
“Change in Laikipia politics is long overdue. Kariuki has been at the helm far too long and its time he stepped down to pave way for young blood to offer services to the people,” he said.
