Low turnout mars TNA nominations

By VITALIS KIMUTAI and BONIFACE GIKANDI

Low voter turnout, late delivery of voting materials marred The National Alliance ( TNA) nomination in Kajiado North and Kangema constituencies.

Moses ole Sakuda and Peter Parsimei Gitau were battling it out for TNA ticket in their bid to replace the late Prof George Saitoti.

Sakuda was Wednesday morning upbeat after casting his ballot at Kimuka Primary School polling station, saying he would carry the day.

Sakuda observed the election materials were not delivered in good time at Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, St Monicah Academy, and Kibiko polling centres even as voters waited to take part in the exercise.

“The delay in delivery of ballot papers and translucent boxes was purely a logistical issue which the party has learnt from. But our agents have confirmed to us that the exercise is moving on smoothly,” Sakuda said.

Parsimei, however, claimed the nomination was rocked by serious flaws, including the use of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) registers, instead of that of TNA as had been agreed upon the previous day at the party headquarters.

 “Failure to provide seals for ballot boxes and returning officers manning more than two polling stations is also an issue we want the party to address because it is making us quarrel with our brothers and sisters,” Parsimei said. And although Mr Joseph Manje had stepped down, his name was still appearing on the ballot papers.

Also in Kangema, low voter turnout characterised the exercise that started at 8am.

Some aspirants protested at lack of membership registers. Supporters of lawyer Muturi Kigano from lower Kangema boycotted the exercise, saying they would only cast their votes on production of the party’s register.

On Tuesday, TNA co-ordinator Mr Kariuki Mate assured the candidates the party members’ registers together with Interim IEBC register would be availed in all polling stations.

The exercise was halted in 16 polling stations as locals kept vigil to ensure no outsiders participated in the nomination.