ODM’s Stephen Kariuki wins Mathare by-election
NAIROBI Kenya, Aug 11 – Stephen Kariuki of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is the Member of Parliament-elect for Mathare constituency in provisional results released on Monday night.
In results from all 115 polling stations, Kariuki had garnered 14,966 votes.
Kariuki was followed closely by the former Member of Parliament George Wanjohi of The National Alliance party who got 14,082 votes.
Kariuki – the son of former Starehe Member of Parliament Margaret Wanjiru – maintained a constant lead throughout the vote-count.
The by-election was characterised by low turnout and claims by Kariuki that leaflets were unfairly being circulated to signal his withdrawal.
The low turnout and leaflets however did not dim the hopes of Kariuki, who cast his vote as soon as polling stations opened and he was optimistic that he would clinch the seat which has now.
Kariuki had said the exercise was progressing fairly well despite minor technical hitches experienced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
“So far so good apart from one station where I heard they had a box that was for Woman Representative and somehow the agents decided to replace it and called it R1.”
In reference to Electronic Voter Identification kits, he said: “We are happy tumeona zinafanya kazi (we have confirmed that they are working) hiyo at least tunashukuru (we are grateful) and then now we hope our voters will come out and vote.”
Wanjohi cast his vote shortly before 10am and was quick to deny claims that he was responsible for the leaflets.
ODM’s Stephen Kariuki wins Mathare by-election
