The race for Juja Constituency will test the mettle of outgoing MP Stephen Ndichu. 

The vocal legislator was one of the first opposition MPs in the larger Kiambu to run to Kanu when it became apparent that Mr Uhuru Kenyatta was set to clinch the ruling party's presidential ticket.

Now he might expect payback in the form of unimpeded Kanu nomination to defend the Juja seat.

But the legislator, who first made it to Parliament on a Ford Asili ticket when he upset Mr Kenyatta's uncle, Mr George Muhoho, in 1992, will have to contend with scores of rivals gunning for the same ticket. And some of them are very close, even relatives, to Mr Kenyatta. 

They include Mr Kenyatta's main point-man in Thika, Mr Paul Hato, Mr Kenyatta's cousin James Magana-Muigai, business executive William Kabogo Gitau and former Social Democratic Party publicity secretary Tony Gachoka. 

The Kenya Bus Service managing director George Thuo, who was initially thought to be keen on the Kanu ticket, apparently has apparently shifted to the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc). He was at the famous Rainbow rally at Nairobi's Uhuru Park last month on the same day Kanu was formalising Mr Kenyatta's nomination at Kasarani. 

The opposition, mainly Narc, is just as crowded, but for the moment all attention is on the fight in Kanu where Mr Kenyatta will be divided between the four top contenders.

Mr Ndicho will be the man in the spotlight, especially because of the role he has played, alongside his Gatanga Social Democratic Party counterpart David Murathe, of leading opposition forces in Thika to the Kenyatta camp. 

"It seems I have become a trend-setter in Juja. Whichever party I move to, my opponents follow. I think it is because I read political signs and mood of the people early enough before making any decision," he said.

Between Messrs Ndicho, Hato, Magana and Gitau, it will be a tight pick. One person who may not feature much is Mr Gachoka, the vocal and controversial political activist and publisher, whose defection from the SDP to Kanu was generally given the cold-shoulder by the Kenyatta camp.

The main threat to Mr Ndicho might be Mr Hato, the losing Kanu candidate in 1997 and long time political ally of Mr Kenyatta. 

Then there is Mr Magana-Muigai, who will have to show that he has more than just family ties to bank on. The 40-year-old property consultant believes he has an edge because many Juja residents migrated from his Gatundu South home turf.

Mr Gitau, born in Ruiru some 40 years ago, has been close to Mr Kenyatta as is coming on strongly. He also seems to be enjoying some support from wealthy tycoon John Harun Mwau. 

On the opposition side, the most interesting newcomer is Mr Thuo, who is making his political debut. He has made a name in the constituency through his participation in fund raisers for numerous projects, but he will quickly have to make up his mind on whether to aim for the Kanu or Narc ticket. 

Other opposition contenders include former Thika deputy Karuga Wandai. The 57-year-old lawyer generated some news in 1998 when he took President Moi to court seeking to have him compelled to appoint a vice president. The suit was thrown out, but Mr Wandai, a published author and a political activist, was left with legal costs to the tune of Sh600,000. This will be his political debut. 

Also in the race is the 1997 runner-up for the DP, Mr Ng'ang'a Muchai. A businessman based in Juja, the former school principal has a long involvement in local politics and should be one of the front runners for the Narc ticket. 

Then there is Dr Kiama Wangai, 31, who also contested on a Safina ticket in 1997. The former University of Nairobi student activist will be targeting the youth.

Also eyeing the Narc nomination is veteran Thika politician Ben Muigai, who was the Kanu candidate in 1992. 

Others include Mr Peterson Karanja , 41, Anglican Church of Kenya diocesan development coordination and former general manager of the Christian Industrial Training Centre. There is Waweru Mburu, a freelance journalist, and former Thika Mayor Boniface Watuku.

There is also the Ford People Juja branch organising secretary Joseph Njoroge, and a former Thika councillor and trade unionist Andrew Ng'ang'a Wanjukira, as well as Nairobi businessman David Nzioka. 

The most intriguing entrant of all is Mr Harris Kibathi Thuo, a renegade member of the extended Kenyatta family, who had in the past tried without success to challenge the domination of Mr Muhoho. 

The latter is keeping out of the race for the second time. As a senior member of the DP, the former MP is ranked among the Kenyatta clan members in the opposition torn between party and family.