Embakasi West Constituency encompasses the whole of Umoja Estate, parts of Kariobangi and Buruburu estates, some parts of Donholm and Kayole estates.
It is a small area with a considerable population to make it a constituency with 5 politicians; 4 members of County Assembly (MCAs) and a Member of the National Assembly.
There’s always been a striking difference between Umoja 1 and Umoja 2 wards.
Whereas Umoja 1 has often been controlled by members of the Kikuyu tribe, the Luo tribe controls Umoja 2.
The current MP George Theuri used to be a councillor (now referred to as MCA) of Umoja 1 ward. It is, therefore, no wonder that Umoja 1 ward enjoys better roads, pedestrian lanes and better garbage management and drainage than Umoja 2.
‘There’s actually no visible development in terms of roads, pathways, and drainage infrastructure in Umoja 2 ward,’ a resident told Umoja News.
Some people think that Theuri favors Umoja 1 more but that might be far from the truth. Politicians that are elected in Umoja 2 ward have always been shady and anti-development.
The political parties that have always fought in this small Embakasi West constituency are those dominated by Kikuyus and Luos.
In Embakasi West, former Umoja One Ward Councillor George Theuri beat ODM’s Brian Weke. Theuri was officially announced the MP-elect after garnering 40,606 votes against Weke’s 35,333.– 2013 election results
Blunder after blunder
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has often fielded a Luo or a Luhya in its quest to get the parliamentary seat.
In the years from 2007 to 2017, ODM came close to capturing the seat with a Luhya MP aspirant.
First, in 2007, Mugabe Were actually won the seat but was assassinated 2 days later as he was entering his house in Woodley, Ngong Road.
In 2013, Brian Weke gave Theuri a run for his money as the excited electorates pushed more than ever before to gift another Luhya the seat.
Why Luhyas?
Kenya is a tribal nation and tribes matter.
The Kikuyus and Luos are natural ‘enemies’ since independence and as such, an ODM candidate that is Luo is easy prey for the Kikuyus.
A Luhya candidate with an ODM ticket is hard to beat since there are few stereotypes that can be associate with a Luhya.
ODM must also stop the habit of changing the aspirants, the party must stick with one aspirant through two or three electoral circles.
This will ensure that the candidate is known to the electorate, his/her agenda is close to the minds of electorates and he/she is able to be cross-sold to the Kikuyus too.
In the 2017 elections, Jubilee Party’s George Theuri defeated Tom Onyango of ODM by 55,819 to 35,358.
There were other aspirants in the race i.e. Joseph Yogo Oluoch, Kihu Cynthia Wanjiku, Kuria Moses, Muthaka Lucy Wanjiru, Mwaura John Kamonjo, Ndungu Nicholas Wambugu, and Ochieng Nicholas Oyoo
