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Some ex-State officers and professionals who resigned in a huff from high-paying jobs to enter politics in the six coastal counties experienced baptism by fire.
Professionals such as former Agriculture Principal Sectary Prof Hamadi Boga are licking their wounds after being humiliated in the recently concluded elections. Ms Fatuma Achani defeated Mr Boga in the race to succeed Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya. Ms Achani is the county's deputy governor at the moment.
She ran on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket and received 59,674 votes, while Boga of the ODM received 53,972 votes. Chai Lung'anzi of the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) received 47,301 votes. Lung'anzi retired from Kenya Ports Authority three years early to pursue a career in politics. Boga announced yesterday that they were heading to court to challenge Ms Achani's victory, claiming that the entire election process was a sham.
"We will appear in court. We completely reject the results obtained after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission botched the process. When electoral petition courts are established, we will present our grievances in order for the election to be declared null and void in the interest of justice for the Kwale people," Boga said.
Mr Lung'anzi's lawyer, Mr Alloys Kututa, said two IEBC officials were arrested for tampering with ballots and other electoral materials but were never charged.
"This was a rigged election. Rather than being charged, two IEBC officials were arrested and later released," he protested. Chirau Ali Mwakwere of Wiper received 9,639 votes, Sammy Ruwa (Independent) received 5,562 votes, and Gereza Dena (Kanu) received 2,310 votes.
In Kwale, Mr Gideon Mung'aro who resigned as the Devolution Chief Administration Secretaries (CAS) however captured the Kilifi Governor seat on the ODM ticket.
In Tana River, Mr Hussein Dado, who resigned from the Interior ministry where he was serving as the CAS, was beaten by incumbent Dhadho Ghodhana. Mr Godhana of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) got 26,892 votes against Dado's 26,633, according to the declaration by the County Returning Officer Mr Yonah Ogola.
Dado has alleged massive vote rigging and has promised to challenge Godhana's victory in court. "The exercise was marred by numerous irregularities. I have no choice but to request a recount of the ballots," he said.
Mr George Mwandembo, a senior officer at the National Social Security Fund who resigned to run for Taita Taveta Governor on the DAP-K ticket, received 2,129 votes. Ms Patience Nyange, a media personality who also resigned from the Media Council of Kenya, received 2,071 votes.
Several County Executive Committee members (CECs) who resigned to try their luck in competitive politics at the ward or constituency levels also lost in Kilifi, Tana River, and Kwale.
