ANC primaries take off in Kakamega amid claims of rigging

Marama Noth Ward MCA aspirants Charles Nandwa (center) and Zedekiah Masakhhwe(right) addresses press at Inaya primary school polling station in Butere where election malpractices like changing of polling stations caused delays for party primaries.They urged the ANC election board to postpone elections. BY BENJAMIN SAKWA

Amani National Congress (ANC) nominations in Kakamega were marked by allegations of malpractices.

In most parts of the county, voting materials were delivered late, prompting some party members, who started flock to polling stations as early as 6am, to leave before casting their votes.

In Shinyalu constituency, aspirants demanded that only party members be allowed to vote.

"Some aspirants want to use fake cards to get more votes," said  parliamentary aspirant Adrian Meja

He said most members of the party did not take part in the polls following delays to deliver the voting materials.

In Butere constituency, Member of County Assembly (MCA) nominations for Marama North ward were delayed as three aspirants declined to participate citing irregularities.

The three David Omusundi, Charles Nandwa and Zedekiah MMasakhwe claimed some of the aspirants' relatives and supporters were picked as presiding officers and clerks.

"We want a fair ground for each aspirant before we allow the nominations to continue," said Mr Omusundi.

The aspirants demanded that the nominations for ward representatives be postponed until the party's National Election Board (NEB) intervenes to solve the crisis.

They also claimed that some of the polling stations were changed at night without their knowledge.

"We need credible elections, we are the majority and we have declared that we will not take part in the polls unless NEB solves our problems," said Charles Nandwa.