Tobiko disputes nomination results of Kajiado gubernatorial race
Kajiado East Member of Parliament Peris Tobiko, who was a front runner in the Kajiado gubernatorial race in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, has faulted the nomination exercise terming it as messy, shambolic and lacking credibility and fairness.
Speaking at the County tallying centre, Tobiko said she has sufficient evidence that the elections were rigged. The disgruntled lawmaker proposed that the exercise be repeated to ensure democracy.
The MP said that the frustrations and the rigging were crafted by a section of the biased secretariat to the chagrin of residents.
"It was not people who voted, it was marked ballot papers that were stashed that were counted. We have sufficient evidence of those sacks that carried those marked ballot papers. Ballot papers were largely on sale," she claimed.
She said the massive irregularities have frustrated UDA supporters in Kajiado County urging Deputy President William Ruto and concerned stakeholders in the party to take action
"What I have seen is extremely unfortunate and disappointing to UDA supporters. This exercise was marred with irregularities," she said.
She said agents were handpicked by a single candidate to frustrate voters through the rigging.
"Our hopes and prayers were that the nominations would be free and fair but this is not anything close to an election. In a democratic world this can only be concluded as shambolic," said Tobiko.
"For the sake of democracy, this exercise should be repeated in a fair manner. This is the only best option. We love the UDA party and our party leader and that is why we are here to foresee a logical conclusion," she said.
Tobiko said she is consulting her think tank and supporters to inform her next course of action.
She said that using the UDA conflict tribunal as an option is not the last resort fearing a possible interference.
"What is disappointing is that it is the secretariat that messed up this exercise. We will analyse the situation carefully and know the next course of action. If there is a chance and time to pursue justice through the UDA tribunal I will take the route. Sabotage could have emerged from the higher level of authority within the party who make up part of the secretariat and it is a matter of wait and see," she said.
She claims that some top officials within the party's top cream were out to create a list of certain individuals as winners at the expense of voters.
The UDA ticket race was considered a two-horse race between Tobiko and her Kajiado South counterpart Katoo Ole Metito.
Former NTSA director Francis Meja and little known Racheal Mwangi were considered by pundits as political underdogs in the race.
