By-election with direct bearing on 2012

By Kepher Otieno and Kenan Miruka

Constituents of South Mugirango vote to elect a new MP, what could herald a major political realignment ahead of the 2012 General Election.

Campaigns for the by-election candidates witnessed high profile political opponents allied to ODM and PNU last week.

More than 41,281 voters are expected to vote, with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission prepared to relay results electronically.

Kanu Vice-Chairman Gideon Moi (centre) and Secretary General Nick Salat were not left out in parties’ last attempts to win votes. They campaigned for Kanu candidate John Ondora at Etago Grounds in South Mugirango yesterday. [photo: TITUS MUNALA/ standard] 

IIEC Nyanza South Regional Elections Co-ordinator Sara Ogaro said they were ready for the task and had distributed materials to the 110 polling stations.

Political parties concluded campaigns on Tuesday, and yesterday 690 staff recruited to conduct the exercise, including 110 presiding officers and 452 clerks, were briefed at the Nduru High School tallying centre.

Free, fair poll

The commission also hired 113 deputy presiding officers and 15 tallying clerks for the exercise.

Addressing the Press in Kisii, commissioners Yusuf Nzibo and Abiud Wasike exuded confidence they would conduct a free and fair election.

"We are ready for the poll. Preliminary results from the 110 polling stations will be transmitted electronically and screened at the tallying hall simultaneously. We shall also have a media centre at Lilian Towers for interested parties to view the results as they come in," said Mr Nzibo.

An electronic Form 16A will be filled and transmitted via laptop or Blackberry phone, while the manual Form 16A will be delivered to the tallying hall by presiding officers.

Elections co-ordinators from 110 constituencies in parts of the country will work as presiding officers to learn ahead of the August 4 referendum.

"We will use permanent staff as presiding officers to make them accountable as well as prepare them for the referendum. The officials will be liable for prosecution should they break the law," Nzibo said.

Security heightened

The commission said security would be heightened at polling stations and at the tallying hall.

A total of 200 police officers are prepared for the job.

The tallying hall will be manned by 50 policemen.

On the reported blatant violation of the Political Parties Act, the commission said the Act was silent on campaigns, as it did not bar individuals from supporting candidates of other parties.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (ODM-Kenya), Higher Education Minister William Ruto (ODM) and Education Minister Sam Ongeri (Kanu) have supported immediate former MP Omingo Magara of PDP.

Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o yesterday urged Government agencies and IIEC to do their work, referring to the petition lodged by the party.

He said it was wrong for other parties to join hands in campaigning for opposition candidates.

"We have filed our complaints and it is not our duty to micro-manage Government agencies. We are looking forward to their response," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Kanu Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, through a phone call put on blaring loud speakers, urged South Mugirango residents to vote for Magara.

Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat said the party would take stern disciplinary action against Uhuru and Prof Ongeri for ditching their candidate. "This by-election cannot be used to settle scores between Ongeri, Uhuru and the PM," said Mr Salat.

Interest at heart

Speaking at Etago trading centre yesterday, Kanu Vice-Chairman Gideon Moi rooted for John Ondora, saying: "Our candidate has the interest of South-Mugirango at heart and if you vote for him, he will bring faster development."

Salat lashed out at PDP, saying it had no base and would not make meaningful political impact.

Magara said he was sure of recapturing the seat.

ODM candidate Ibrahim Ochoi appealed to constituents to vote for him, promising to bring change and initiate viable development projects.

He spoke as Cabinet Minister Chris Obure claimed there was a futile attempt to manipulate voters.

Ford-People candidate Manson Oyongo urged residents to vote him in, if they seek for prosperity.

Grace Nyachae, wife to former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae, led former Cabinet Minister Henry Obwocha and Sam Nyamweya and Eala MP Reuben Oyondi to drum up support for Oyongo.