By Roselyn Obala

BUNGOMA, KENYA: Cord coalition candidate Moses Wetangula has recorded a statement at Kimilili police station over alleged electoral malpractices in the on going Bungoma Senate by-election.

Wetangula claims that the Amani Coalition is involved in voter bribery and intimidation a claim that has so far been dismissed by Amani’s Eugene Wamalwa. Wamalwa said it was CORD that is involved in the electoral malpractices.

Independent candidate David Makali said there was too much money being dished out and the outcome of the by-election might not reflect voters will.

Bungoma County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed confirmed reports of voter bribery but said they were still doing investigations.  The Bungoma IEBC returning officer Ben Misiati said two people have so far been arrested in relation to voter bribery and were being held in police stations.

The electoral body expects the voting exercise to end by 5 pm due to low voter turn out currently at 20 per cent. Streaming of the results is expected to begin at 7 pm Thursday.

An estimated 500,000 voters are expected to cast their votes at 941 polling stations in the nine constituencies that make up Bungoma County, after a month of campaigns by aspirants, to pick their senator.

On Wednesday, there was suspicion and speculations among leaders supporting immediate former Bungoma Senator Mr Wetangula, vying to recapture the seat and Amani coalition candidate Mr Kombo, with both sides expressing fears that elections might not be free and fair. Members of Parliament (MPs) allied to CORD hit out at their Amani counterparts, alleging that an elaborate plot had been hatched by the Jubilee government, with the aid of the IEBC to deny Wetangula his outright victory.

Amani leaders responded by telling the CORD leaders to desist from throwing aspersions to Jubilee administration and instead answer to their statement about “Operation Nunua Kura”.

CORD MPs led by Tongaren legislator Simiyu Esseli identified Mt Elgon and Webuye East constituencies, as the areas the planned electoral malpractices would take place.