Humiliated Isaac Rutto cry foul over JAP win in Kericho

Kanu has evidence of pre-marked ballot papers that “inflated JAP’s votes” in the Kericho Senator by-election, Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has said.

Accusing the party of engaging in “open vote-buying”, Rutto said he was disappointed by the by-poll on Monday that saw JAP’s Aaron Cheruiyot win the seat.

Cheruiyot grabbed more than 60 per cent of the votes , trouncing Kanu’s Kipkorir Sang.

Rutto further claimed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission colluded with JAP to rig the mini poll.

“We are of the view that the results were not a reflection of the will of the people,” he told a press conference in Kericho on Tuesday.

“The by-election outcome is a grave indictment of the IEBC. Some polling centres had very wild votes that influenced the outcome.”

Kanu secretary general Nick Salat said: “Poll results do not tally. We will release our own data regarding the by-election on Wednesday.”

He said the party will push for the reconstitution of the IEBC before the 2017 general election.

Kanu campaign coordinator Magerer Langat said the IEBC was out to save Deputy President William Ruto’s face in Rift Valley.

“A Jubilee win does not mean anything,” he said.

Kanu rejected provisional results with 31 stations to go on Monday night and claimed the exercise was flawed.

The win came as a relief for Ruto who has been facing stiff opposition from Kanu and Jubilee rebels from the South Rift who had ganged up against him.

The Kericho Senate seat fell vacant after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Charles Keter to the Energy Cabinet Secretary post.

The vacancy opened a major battle between Ruto and the Governor who led URP rebels alongside Kanu chairman Gideon Moi.

The campaigns turned personal between Ruto and Gideon who exchanged bitter words.

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Humiliated Isaac Rutto cry foul over JAP win in Kericho