2022 presidential aspirant and Roots Party leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah has promised a Member of County Assemble Nomination due to his ‘outstanding love for the party leader’.
In a short statement issued on Thursday, February 6, 2025, and accompanied by several photos, Mr Wajackoyah promised Mr Micheal Nyasetia a nominated position ahead of the 2027 General Elections in Kenya.
“This family is very close to my heart. Mr Michael Nyasetia currently residing in Maala in Matungulu constituency Machakos county. He was born and raised in Nyaribari Masaba Kisii county is number 1 Roots follower. We took a photo and from it he made a painting and hanged on the wall of his family home. He is not only a registered member of Roots but he will be nominated as Member of county assembly in 2027. His love for the party leader is outstanding,” said Mr Wajackoyah.
Mr Nyasetia expressed his honor in regards to Wajackoyah’s decision to nominate him. It remains to be seen where Mr Nyasetia will be nominated- in Matungulu Constituency or in Nyaribari Masaba Constituency.
Nairobi Post now looks into how one can go about getting a nomination to any Assembly in Kenya:
Initially, political parties were allowed to nominate MCAs without considering their relationship with the counties in which they are elected to serve but a report tabled to the Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee proposed amendments that those who sought nominations mist be registered voters in any of the wards in the county in which they seek to serve.
Additionally, it was proposed that nominees should be residents of the county or, in the very least, demonstrate interest in the affairs of that county.
These proposals were made after a petition filed in October 2023 claimed that some nominated MCAs were serving in counties where they were not registered voters and were unaware of the challenges and needs in those counties.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, however, opposed this petition, saying it would be problematic to implement as it would be difficult to establish sufficient evidence for proof of residence. Instances such as change of job location, loss of jobs, historical reasons as well as freedom of movement were also brought up by other parties to oppose the proposals.
The Council of Governors, thought, supported the proposals- adding that the limited time of residency in an area should be at least five years preceding the date of elections.
Roots Party intends to be a major contender in the 2027 General Elections once again, going up against the incumbent Kenya Kwanza alliance headed by the United Democratic Alliance and several other opposition parties and alliances. This is after Wajackoyah announced his intentions to gun for the top seat again in 2027 after coming in third among four contenders in the 2022 presidential election.
“…I have come here to announce officially that I’m on the ballot 2027 and I won’t withdraw. I’m running again because I’m bitter. Ruto would have done it better if he had sat with us in the beginning and asked how we can fix these issues,” said Wajackoyah in December 2024 as President Ruto went about revamping his government and making it ‘broad-based’