Wavinya Ndeti Takes Machakos As Women Roar

By Jane Muia / Published August 13, 2022 | 10:57 am

Wiper Machakos governor candidate Wavinya Ndeti has been elected the governor of Machakos county, making history as the first woman to hold the seat. The former Transport CAS who vied for the seat on a wiper Democratic Movement ticket was declared governor-elect after she garnered 226, 609 votes.

The former state house chief of Staff Nzioka Waita was the second in the race with 129,189 votes. Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama who vied for the seat on a United Democratic Movement ticket was the third in the race with 37,980 votes. This was a major upset for the Muthama camp and many are wondering what went wrong.

Incumbent Machakos senator Agnes Kavindu has been re-elected the senator of Machakos with 155, 883 votes. Albanus Ngengele (UDA) emerged second after he got 65, 606 votes. John Katuku (PTP) party 33, 752 votes, Charles Kilonzo (independent) 43, 962, Joel Mbaluka (UDA) 39, 183, and MCCP’s Benard Mung’ata had 62, 587 votes.

The Machakos senatorial seat was highly contestant, attracting 8 contestants. The incumbent Senator Joyce Kamene Kasimbi retained her position after being declared the winner with 253,106 votes. Kasimbi vied on a wiper ticket. Others who vied for the position include Ritah Ndunge (Mendeleo Chap Chap) 93,798, Eunice Nzilani (UDA) 25,537, Selina Mwende (FPK) 10,527, Benedetta Muli (Jubilee) 9,303, Elizabeth Kisyang’a (ELP) 6,978, Victoria Ndunge Musyoki (CCU) 6,788 and Josephine Wayua (PTP) 3,313 votes.

So far, four incumbent MPs in Machakos County have successfully defended their seats. They include Wiper’s Robert Mbui (Kathiani), Stephen Mule (Matungulu) Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga), and Fabian Muli (Kangundo).

The number of registered voters in Machakos was 687,565 with 408,175 voters participating in the elections.

The Tuesday elections were seen as an important test of democracy in Machakos county and there was a lot of excitement leading up to the vote. Wavinya at long last emerged the winner after failed attempts in 2013 and 2017. She previously served as a Member of Parliament for Machakos county and is well-known for her work in promoting women’s rights.

Machakos governor seat had attracted five candidates who include the former Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama, former Transport and Infrastructure CAS Wavinya Ndeti, former state house chief of Staff Nzioka Waita, Deputy governor Francis Maliti, and Rose Mulwa of the Empowerment and Liberation Party.