Even as the campaigns for the August general elections have started in earnest ahead of the official campaign time, unlike before, more media personalities and celebrities have thrown their hat in the ring.
Besides riding on fame, the new rare entrants into the murky political field are expected to inject new blood in the manner political affairs will be conducted going forward for the greater good of the people.
In the past, celebrities such as Dagoretti South Member of Parliament John Kiarie (KJ), Charles Njagua Kanyi known as Jaguar (Starehe) and Mohamed Ali Mohammed alias Jicho Pevu (Nyali) have successfully won elective seats.
Veteran journalist Mwanaisha Chidzuga will be following the footsteps of her late mother, Zainab Chidzuga, who was the Kwale Woman Representative between 2013 and 2017.
The TV news anchor will be vying for the Matuga MP seat under a UDA ticket.
Radio host and actor Alex Mwakideu is hoping to become the next Wundayi MP.
Mwakideu who is confident in his victory said that he is not running for the seat but is becoming the Wundanyi MP he will be going against Danson Mwashako of Wiper Democratic Movement.
Meanwhile, media personality Jamal Gaddafi is seeking to be the next Malindi MP.
The AFRIMA nominee recently made his interest in the parliamentary seat public at a religious function in Malindi.
Six aspirants have so far declared interest in Malindi parliamentary seat currently held by Aisha Jumwa.
Jumwa, a key ally of Deputy President William Ruto has declared interest for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat through UDA ticket to succeed outgoing governor Amason Kingi.
Comedian and actor Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o has declared interest for the Langata MP seat currently held by Nixon Korir.
Jasper Muthomi popularly known as MC Jessy is one of Kenya’s most sought-after MCs and comedians announced his candidature for the South Imenti MP seat in September last year after receiving affirmation from the constituency’s elders.
Jessy ditched Kiraitu Murungi’s Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) party, popularly known as the “Mbus” party, for Ruto’s UDA party.
Popular Kikuyu Gospel artist Loise Githuku Alias Loise Kim is seeking to be the next Women Representative of Kiambu County.
The Wi Mutheru Hitmaker is yet to announce the party through which she intends to vie.
At least six women have expressed interest in the seat. They include Emma Wangari alias Mama Mwiko, Mary Kirika, Njeri Bakari and former Kiambu TNA coordinator Gladys Chania.
The current Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni Wamuchomba is said to be eyeing the Githunguri Constituency parliamentary seat.
Smith Mwatia AKA Rufftone will be contesting for the Nairobi senatorial seat. The veteran Gospel singer will be up against Edwin Sifuna, Karen Nyamu, and Maina Kamanda in the hotly contested seat.
Rufftone announced his Nairobi Senatorial bid in November last year.
“I am disclosing this for the first time in regards to what the future holds for Rufftone. You are looking at the new incoming Nairobi Senator, Roy Smith Mwatia,” he revealed.
Corporate MC, singer, and media personality Davidson Ngibuini, aka DNG, announced his bid for the Woodley-Kenyatta Golf Course ward MCA seat. DNG will be vying under a UDA ticket
The young environmentalist Anita Soina is eyeing the Kajiado MP seat.
She is the youngest on this list and will be vying under a UDA ticket.
“It’s here. People over profits. Every day it hurts me to see what the people go through, born to a Maasai dad from Kajiado North, as I trace back to my roots to understand my culture and as a young leader who understands some of the challenges facing the people, I have decided to do this. To me, the first step towards solving a problem is getting to that position of a problem solver. Twende Bunge tupiganie haki za wapiga kura!” she wrote.
P-Unit member Francis Amisi alias Frasha is seeking to be the next MCA of Athi River Ward. In a recent interview, Frasha announced that he is yet to pick a party to sponsor his candidature
The highly accomplished Keroche Breweries CEO is eyeing the Nakuru senatorial seat.
According to the beer tycoon, after consultations with her friends and family, she has decided to join the crowded race.
She is seeking to succeed Susan Kihika, who will run for Nakuru gubernatorial seat against the incumbent Lee Kinyanjui, who is affiliated to ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja wing.
Sports journalist Tony Kwalanda will be vying for the Manda Shivanga Ward MCA seat in the upcoming general elections. The Sports guru made the announcement via his social media and urged his fans to help him choose a political party.
“I am an aspiring MCA in Kakamega County in Manda Shivanga ward. It has come that time when we have to take charge of the places we live in. We cannot continue looking and wishing,” he said.
The once flamboyant rapper Jackson Makini, alias CMB Prezzo ditched Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Party.
Prezzo stated he will be gunning for the Kasarani parliamentary seat in the forthcoming elections and not Kibra as he had earlier announced.
The rapper-cum-politician says he will reveal his party of choice soon and has urged Kasarani residents to vote for him as their next MP.
Dennis Mugo, popularly known as OJ after the role he played on Citizen TV show Tahidi High, will be vying for the MCA seat for Ruguru Ngandori Ward in Embu on a UDA ticket, which is associated with Ruto.