Voters brave cold to cast ballot in Kiambaa mini poll
Thousands of voters in Kiambaa yesterday braved the chilly weather to cast their ballots in the hotly contested parliamentary by-election.
Turnout was initially low in the morning hours, however, as the day progressed the numbers increased.
Two leading candidates; Kariri Njama of Jubilee and Njuguna Wanjiku of the United Democratic Alliance cast their votes at 10am at Gachie and Thimbigua primary schools respectively.
Residents of Muguga Ward were also voting to replace MCA Eliud Ngugi, who succumbed to Covid-19 related complications.
Presence of uniformed chiefs and their assistants alarmed supporters of the Wanjiku, who protested to poll officials.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission boss Wafula Chebukati said chiefs and their assistants were not among a group of six people required to be at the polling stations.
Speaking while inspecting the progress of the by-election in Kiambaa, Chebukati noted that the Elections Act was clear on who should be at the polling station.
Peaceful process
“I mentioned six groups of people who are supposed to be at the polling stations; chiefs are not among them according to the Elections Act.
Polling stations extends to about 400 meters so people should not be idling around that area,” he said.
At the same time, Chebukati said the exercise had been peaceful and that there was no major issue of concern.
He expressed confidence that his officers are well trained to oversee the by-elections in accordance with the law.
“So far it has been a peaceful process and I am satisfied that it is going on well. As a commission, our fidelity is with the law and we have ensured that our officers do their work in accordance with the law,” he stated.
Other candidates in race were Evans Wainaina of the People’s Party of Kenya, Kamau Mbugua (Independent), Muchugi Karomo (Federal Party of Kenya), Munyinyi Mugo (Independent) Lucy Muthaka (Party of National Unity) and Richard Njoroge of The New Democrats.
In the Muguga Ward by-elections, Jubilee’s Githinji Mungera faced UDA’s Kamau Thumbi.
National Assembly Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya found himself in unfamiliar grounds at Kimuga polling station after UDA supporters demanded that he leaves the center.
“Kimunya must go! This is not Parliament!” Shouted the youth, led by Eric Mutura, a former Jubilee aspirant, who alleged that the Kipipiri MP was spotted in the area at 3am.
Tension built up prompting the intervention of Limuru OCPD Anthony Gitonga to contain the youths, as their shouting match almost degenerated into a scuffle between them and Kimunya’s security detail.
Officer told People Daily that Kimunya was an observer but had failed to display his accreditation badge.
Also featuring prominently in polling centers was Kieni MP Kanini Kega, who castigated the youth who attempted to harass Kimunya.
Individual parties
He said individual parties have the right to appoint anyone as their agents irrespective of their social status.
“The law allows parties to present any person as their agent and it is unfortunate that these people tried to harass Kimunya for no apparent reason,” he said.
But Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, who had escorted Wanjiku to cast his vote condemned what he called outright, massive and open voter bribery orchestrated by chiefs and their assistants.
Wanjiku lauded IEBC, saying the commission had ensured that the exercise was smooth and efficient devoid of unnecessary delays.
He, however, raised concerns over the presence of MPs affiliated to Jubilee in polling stations, saying they were out to influence voters.
