Mt Kenya MPs call for 100 per cent voter turnout

Kenyans wait in long lines to vote (Photo: Courtesy)

With only 17 days to the General Election, a section of legislators from Mount Kenya are leaving nothing to chance and are urging residents to turn out en masse to vote for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Led by Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, the 20 MPs, under the UhuRuto Express banner, have criss-crossed Laikipia, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties calling for 100 per cent voter turn-out.

The legislators warned the residents that poor turn-out would give the Opposition victory.

“We must come out in in large numbers to have the first round victory for President Uhuru, so he can complete the projects he had initiated,” Kamau said.

The leaders were speaking in the backdrop of a recent opinion poll, which had indicated that none between President Uhuru and National Super Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga would win in the first round.

The MPs hope that the high turnout would ensure the President’s re-election. The MPs have been hitting at Raila, claiming that he wants to forestall the election through the courts.

Polls schedule

Kamau has appealed to the Judiciary to expedite any pending election-related cases because poll is just around the corner.

“We want the elections as scheduled. We are also urging residents to maintain peaceful and let other leaders hold their campaigns peacefully,” he said.

Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando urged Mt Kenya residents to come out in large numbers and vote for the President.

The group includes Ruiru MPs Esther Gathogo, Nelson Gaichuhie (Subukia), John Kihagi (Naivasha), Joyce Ngugi (Gatundu North), Kamande Wambuku(Maragua), Mary Njoki (Women Rep Nakuru) and Samuel Gichigi (Kipipiri).

Gathogo accused Raila and the NASA team of being insincere about the voting system, saying they had opposed the manual backup in Parliament.

“They should withdraw from the race and give Jubilee a walk over if they are not ready,” Gathogo said.

She said the Opposition had sensed defeat and is trying to use all means possible to stop the polls.