Msambweni by-election to test the weight of BBI, Raila-Ruto war
Today’s by-election in Msambweni, Kwale County, will likely put to test the political might of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga on one side against that of Deputy President William Ruto on the other.
Raila has held the constituency in his grip since 2007, and is backing Omar Boga of ODM. The constituency of more than 69,000 voters is set to elect an MP following the death of Suleiman Dori eight months ago.
Uhuru’s Jubilee party did not field a candidate in respect to the spirit of the Handshake, which has been perceived as a silent backing of the ODM candidate.
THE STANDARD By
Standard Team |
December 16th 2020 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300
ODM candidate Omar Boga (in white face mask) is escorted by his supporters after voting at Jogoo polling centre in Msambweni, Kwale County, on December 15, 2020. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]
Drama, violence, arrests, bribery claims and low turn-out rocked the Msambweni by-election.
In the melee that ensued, former Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama, Belgut MP Nelson Koech and a man identified as John Kiarie (not the MP) were arrested over alleged election malpractices.
Police said Nyali MP Mohamed Ali and Lunga Lunga’s Khatib Mwashetani were also being sought over chaos at Jomo Kenyatta Primary School polling centre.
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Independent candidate in the Msambweni by-election Feisal Abdallah votes at Gazi Primary School.
As the vote counting in the Msambweni by-election was underway, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission urged Kenyans to ignore unofficial results.
However, unofficial results seemed to place independent candidate Feisal Abdallah ahead of ODM s Omar Boga.
Shortly before midnight, chaos broke out at Mwakigwena and at the tallying centre. Rowdy youth forced their way into the centre chanting Haki Yetu.
They accused the officials of not letting all the ballot boxes in for tallying.
In an amateur video, Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa urged the IEBC to announce the results and declare Feisal the winner, saying it was a competition and Boga s team should concede.
Independent candidate Abdallah takes early lead in Msambweni standardmedia.co.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from standardmedia.co.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Msambweni constituents are voting in Kenya s first Covid-era parliamentary election.
Consequently, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced safety rules to avert the spread of Covid-19 during voting.
“Voters, candidates and agents are urged to maintain order at the polling station and to avoid wearing or carrying campaign materials and to avoid campaigning while on the queue,” the polling body said on Tuesday morning, adding that the exercise started at 6 am.
The voter identification process which involves biometrically scanning the fingerprints has been secured by the introduction of hand sanitisers. The commission is also taking body temperatures as required by the Ministry of Health protocols. The IEBC tweeted: