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Malala concedes defeat in Kakamega governor’s race

Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 12:37 | By
Outgoing Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala. PHOTO/Courtesy.
UDA Sec-general Cleophas Malala. PHOTO/Courtesy.

ODM party candidate Fernandes Barasa has clinched the Kakamega governor's seat.

The Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition flag bearer garnered 192,929 votes against his closest challenger Cleophas Malala of the Amani National Congress (ANC) party, who got 159,508 votes.

In his acceptance speech on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, Barasa thanked the people of Kakamega for giving him a chance to serve.

Malala concedes defeat

On his part, Malala conceded defeat, saying the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducted a credible election.

"Tumekubali kama vichwa vyetu viko juu zaidi. Nawapongeza wapinzani wangu Fernandez Barasa na Ayub Savula. Hakuna kura iliibiwa Kakamega County napongeza IEBC Kwa kazi nzuri (We accept the results with our heads high. I congratulate my competitors Fernandes Barasa and his deputy Ayub Savula. No vote was stolen in Kakamega County and because of that we commend IEBC for the good work)," Malala said.

He expressed interest in working with the new county boss to move Kakamega forward.

"Huu ni mwanzo mpya, nawashukuru wote walionipigia kura na wale hawakunipigia. Niko tayari kufanya kazi na Fernandez Barasa akiwa gavana, kama Kuna mahali manifesto yangu ilimfurahisha aniite tufanye kazi (This is a new beginning. I thank all those who believed in my dream and those who didn't vote for me. I am ready to work with Barasa and if there is something he liked in my manifesto I am ready to offer my services to his administration)," he added.

The electoral body held the Kakamega elections on Monday, August 29, after postponing the exercise twice.

IEBC suspended the Kakamega and Mombasa gubernatorial polls a day before the August 9 general election citing a ballot mix-up.

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said ballot papers for the respective elections bore wrong images as names.

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