August 9

Thika candidates seek nullification of election over ‘irregularities’

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 16:00 | By
The Kamenu Ward aspirants address journalists in Thika on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. PHOTO/Mathew Ndung'u
The Kamenu Ward aspirants address journalists in Thika on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. PHOTO/Mathew Ndung'u

A section of candidates seeking the Member of County Assembly (MCA) position for Kamenu Ward in Thika, Kiambu County, now wants the August 9 election for the position nullified over alleged malpractice.

The aspirants in one of the largest Ward in the country with 55,000 voters insist that the electoral process was marred by glaring irregularities, allegedly executed by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in cahoots with the IEBC staff deployed in the area.

The politicians accuse the election officials of abetting bribery of voters at polling stations to the advantage of one candidate.

Led by Fabius Gichuki, the aspirants further alleged that over 60 per cent of their agents were ejected from the voting centres to facilitate the cooking of figures to the advantage of one candidate.

The candidates wondered how one candidate could beat the first runners-up with 200 votes in every polling centre, saying that alone raises eyebrows about the exercise.

The aspirants, in their numbers further took issue with IEBC for allegedly manipulating the tallying process during the sorting and announcing process, saying their agents were not allowed to sign requisite forms.

Thika candidates move to court

They have threatened to move to court to have the poll nullified.

"We have been left with no option but to file a petition in court seeking to have the entire exercise nullified. We are committed and we believe that in the long run, justice for Kamenu residents will be served," Adan Ali, a candidate in the race said.

UDA party candidate Peter Mburu was declared the winner in a race that attracted 23 candidates.

Mburu garnered 19, 826 votes against Jubilee Party candidate Lydiah Njeri who only managed 2,503 votes.

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