Amber Ray's Ex Clinches MP Seat Under UDA Ticket

UPDATE Friday, August 12: Socialite Amber Ray's ex and Deputy President William Ruto's ally Zaheer Jhanda is the Member of Parliament elect for Nyaribari Chache Constituency in Kisii County.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate was officially declared as the MP-elect after he garnered 31,684 votes. He was competing against 11 other candidates his long-time political nemesis Richard Tong'i. 

Tong'i, a Jubilee leader, who has already conceded defeat had served for two terms. He garnered 10,039 votes and was followed by James Kenani(ODM) who managed 5,086 votes. 

Journalist Erick Obino of Kanu came a distant fourth with 3, 529 votes. 

Socialite Faith Makau, alias Amber Ray, announced on Wednesday, August 10 that one of her former lovers emerged victorious in the August 9 polls, even though the results are yet to be officially declared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Amber had once dated Zaheer Jhanda, who is contesting for the Nyaribari Chache parliamentary seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

Responding to a Q&A session on Instagram, a fan posed "Umeona ex wako amewin elections? (are you aware that your ex has triumphed in the elections?”)

A past photo of Amber Ray and flamboyant politician, Zaheer Jhanda. /FILE

She responded, “Oh yes, I’m so happy for him…he deserved it!”

Amber parted ways with Jhanda in 2018, with him being a Nairobi businessman at the time. 

“I would like to inform you that I am no longer married to Zaheer Merlahi Jhanda and no one should link me to him or his family in whatever way," she said. 

“It’s about time I share with you this very important move in my life, which will also set some of you free because you have been waiting for this day for way too long and I do not want to continue holding you hostage. Feel free to keep the screenshots, keep em’ receipts for future use." 

She further apologised to her son and family for the insults they suffered in the past owing to her decisions. Amber added that she had denounced her Muslim faith following the divorce.

"I apologize to my son and my family for all the insults they have had to bear in the past because of my decisions," she said. 

"Let there be peace because I have my own life to live, dreams to chase and goals to fulfil. This also goes to say that I am no longer a Muslim."

Jhanda had married Ray as a second wife for almost three years, but their relationship was mired by many issues, including his first wife accusing her of using evil spirits to break their marriage.

Jhanda could be on his way to a sure victory after Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tong’i conceded defeat, amongst a handful of parliamentary aspirants across the country to renounce themselves from the race.

“I may not have done everything that the people of Nyaribari Chache wanted but I have no doubt in my mind that I did my very best to improve the constituency,” he said in a message shared to journalists and WhatsApp groups.

Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tong'i during a recent function in his constituency. /THE STAR