Kalonzo candidate loses to Kibwana’s in Nguu/Masumba by-election
Independent candidate Timothy Sireri Maneno emerged victorious in the Nguu/Masumba ward by-election held yesterday.
Maneno, fronted by Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana polled 2,894 votes, relegating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Kivuva Musau who garnered 2,223 votes while Wiper Party’s Eisho Mwaiwa was third with 1,601 votes.
A total of 6.776 votes were cast in the by-election that was seen as a test for Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s influence in Lower Easter Region.
Tension ran high in the by-election occasioned by the death of Harrison Ngui in a road accident.
Opposing camps accused the Wiper party of sponsoring violence in a well-calculated scheme to tarnish integrity of the poll.
The by-election pitted United Democratic Movement (UDA) through Daniel Musau alias Nguuman alongside Wiper’s Eishio Mwaiwa and Maneno who ran as an Independent.
Cases of violence threatened to taint the exercise with opposition groups confronting each other.
Supporters of Nominated MCA for Makueni Assembly Albanus Wambua alias Kana attacked a Mutongoi TV journalist Utini market and went away with their car keys.
According to Mutongoi TV reporter Benjamin Mwaka, a fleet of over 10 high-end vehicles blocked their way and demanded their identity.
Voter bribery
In what was largely seen as a retaliatory attack, irate members of the public accosted councilor Kana who was in a company of Makueni Woman Representative Rose Museo at Thithi polling station.
Museo and Kana were accused of voter bribery by the angry members of public who vandalised two vehicle.
“People are angry with Wiper Party for sponsoring violence. We realised they were in a scheme to bribe voters,” said Mathew Kiseli .
IEBC commissioner Abdi Guyo promised that the commission will investigate the attack on journalists.
“Last night’s fracas have not been affected the voting but we will probe the matter conclusively. The ward is calm and voters are composed and peaceful,” he said.
During the incident, UDA’s campaign manager James Mbaluka was forced to shoot in the air after goons armed with crude weapons pelted his car.
Governor Kivutha Kibwana's political advisor Albanus Mativa who survived the attack said it was a clear show of defeat.
