Vote hunt hots up in Makueni senate race

By Daniel Nzia and Onesmus Nzioka

Makueni, Kenya: Makueni County was Monday abuzz with activity as candidates for the senatorial race crisscrossed the region to hunt for votes.

With four days to the July 26 by-election, CORD and Jubilee leaders pitched tent to woo voters to elect their preferred candidates.

Narc flag-bearer Prof Philip Kaloki and the Jubilee camp campaigned in Makindu and were expected to address a rally in Wote town later in the day.

Former Vice-President and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka visited various shopping centres in Mbooni and Kaiti constituencies where he campaigned for the party’s candidate, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.

Kalonzo, accompanied by Mutula Jnr and a host of other Wiper MPs and county representatives, first visited Tawa market before heading to Kalawa, Mbumbuni, Kilala and Kikima.

He urged residents to demonstrate to the rest of the country that Ukambani was more ‘corded’ than before. The former VP castigated the Jubilee government saying it planned to rig the election.

He, however, said CORD had put in place an anti-rigging scheme to counter Jubilee’s agenda. 

“We are fully aware Jubilee plans to use the provincial administration to rig the polls but I want to tell them that we cannot encourage any more rigging,” he cautioned.

Kalonzo asked residents to be vigilant and ensure they remain in the polling stations after voting to guard against possible interference.

“You should not leave your polling stations after you vote. Remain there until they are counted and announced,” he advised.

Peddling lies

He took a swipe at Wiper leaders who were campaigning for Jubilee candidate Prof Kaloki, asking residents to shame them by voting for Mutula Junior overwhelmingly.

He told residents not to be swayed by those peddling lies that they will be better served by the State if they voted for the Jubilee candidate, adding they had their government under the leadership of Governor Kivutha Kibwana.

Kalonzo said Mutula Jnr’s road to victory was unstoppable adding, “those who planned to block his candidature are trying to prevent running river water with a thorny branch”.

He hinted at a possible merger of Wiper and Muungano parties to form a strong political force in Ukambani. Mutula Jnr promised to accomplish the development agenda his late father had for the county.