THE STANDARD By
Standard Team |
March 4th 2021 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300
An IEBC official moves ballot boxes into Bulimbo Primary School, which will be used as a polling centre in today’s by-elections. [Mumo Munuve and Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]
Residents of Matungu and Kabuchai constituencies go to the polls to elect new MPs this morning amid claims of a plot to rig the election.
Yesterday, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi claimed some Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials met ODM leaders to strategise on how to influence the outcome of the by-election in Matungu.
On Tuesday, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala made similar claims.
THE STANDARD By
Standard Team |
March 2nd 2021 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300
ANC Matungu candidate Peter Nabulindo (left) and Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala in Mayoni, Matungu constituency yesterday. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]
The two Western by-elections in Matungu and Kabuchai have turned into a popularity contest for top politicians eyeing State House in the 2022 General Election.
Focus in the race has shifted to Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, as their candidates face off in the polls set for Thursday.
Dr Ruto, who has fielded candidates in both elections under the United Democratic Movement (UDA), is seeking to gauge his popularity after making forays in the region that has at least 1.9 million registered voters.
Amani National Congress (ANC) candidate Peter Nabulindo also got the IEBC nod to vie in the by-election.
Nabulindo was accompanied by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and a host of MPs. United Democratic Party candidate Charles Kasamani was also cleared.
However, the late Matungu MP Justus Murunga’s widow Christabel Amunga was not cleared as she lacked requisite documents.
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“Mrs Murunga didn’t have all the required papers including her supporters list, which she was to present in a Microsoft Excel form. We have agreed she will come later with all the papers,” said Kirui.
THE STANDARD
The forthcoming Kabuchai by-election is likely to be a battle of wits between Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula (
pictured) and Deputy President William Ruto.
While Mr Wetang’ula would be pulling all stops to ensure his Ford Kenya party retains the seat, Dr Ruto would be seeking a win for his Tangatanga team to boost his 2022 presidential bid.
The seat fell vacant following the death of James Mukwe Lusweti in December last year.
Lusweti and Bungoma Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga were the only elected leaders from the county who stood with Wetang’ula during recent attempted coup to remove him from the helm of Ford Kenya party leadership.