Three Kabete MP candidates want the by-election cancelled over voter bribery and the alleged signing of a petition for Kiambu Governor William Kabogo’s removal.
John Wamagata (Safina), Kavore Kariuki (Narc Kenya) and Isaiah Ndirangu (Party of Democratic Unity) claimed the bribery was by an unnamed contestant.
“There is a list at Uthiru polling station where after one votes, he or she is asked to sign a petition to remove Kabogo from office,” alleged Wamagata.
“Is this a by election of another business? We know the incident has been instigated by one of us.”
Speaking at Wangige primary school, the tallying centre, they told IEBC officials that they had witnessed a bribery incident at Kirangari Primary School polling stations.
“There is a lot of voter buying at some polling stations. We have confirmed two and we reported to the clerks but nothing has been done so far. We demand to be heard since we are candidates and we need to be respected,” said Kariuki.
The three added that they were not called to witness the opening of the ballot boxes, which they said was their right.
JAP candidate Ferdinand Waititu dismissed claims of voter bribery and accused his rivals of mudslinging.
The former Embakasi MP said contestants must accept the outcome of the election.
Returning officer Esther Wanjiru said they had not received any report of bribery and that IEBC officials and observers had been prudent.
Wanjiru however confirmed that two men were arrested at the Kirangari Primary School polling station over trying to sway residents to vote for a particular candidate.
They are being held at Kikuyu Police Station for questioning, she said.
Wanjiru revealed that the IEBC suspended one of the clerks at the school and replaced him with another following the arrest.
“We have suspended one of our own for breaching the IEBC code. I don’t want to talk much about him because it’s a matter which is under investigations,” she said.
She denied allegations of a petition for Kabogo’s removal saying no presiding officer would allow it.
“We haven’t heard of such a report. This was a by-election and no other business has been conducted. No presiding officer would allow such a petition to circulate as he or she would be liable,” she said.
– the-star.co.ke
