Chaos, confusion mark URP polls in the Rift Valley

By County Team

Mistrust among the leaders and supporters of the United Republican Party (URP) emerged during its delegates’ elections in some parts of the North Rift region.

Elections in a polling station in Eldoret town turned chaotic as party supporters turned rowdy last week before the exercise was concluded.

Officials coordinating the exercise were forced to suspend the delegates elections at Kapkoros polling station in Eldoret town during the URP sub-branch delegates’ elections.

Supporters of one faction were reportedly unhappy with the presence of Eldoret Mayor William Rono who had visited the Kapkoros Primary School Polling Centre.

One of the factions chanted, “Mayor must go!”

They complained that the outcome of the election would be influenced.

But Mayor Rono later said he was not interested in any elective seat and that he had visited the polling station since it falls under his civic ward.

Rival groups

 The rival groups could not agree, prompting the Uasin Gishu County URP Elections Coordinator Rev Phillip Chumo to suspend the elections until further notice.

“The polls were suspended and we are looking for better options to ensure that delegates are elected. As for now, we are holding a meeting with the rival groups for reconciliation,” Chumo said.

He added, “In the sub-branch elections, 97 per cent went on smoothly in Uasin Gishu apart from the differences at Kapkoros Polling Station,”

The official said only the chairman of the sub-branch had been elected before the postponement of the polls.

He, however, said they would reach an amicable agreement on when and the mode they would use to hold the elections. 

Confusion raged in   Uasin Gishu County after delegates in some stations disagreed on the mode of picking the party officials.

The delegates were sharply divided after it emerged that some aspirants came in to contest for top positions yet they were never present at grassroots polls.

However, calm was restored later and the process went on smoothly with delegates choosing officials for the various posts.

Elections Coordinator Bishop Wilson Kurui was present to oversee and ensure the smooth running of the exercise.

“The elections have been free and fair. The consensus has also given us an opportunity to agree and come up with credible results,” said Kurui, while releasing the election results.

Reverend Chumo said 120 delegates from six constituencies: Soy, Moiben, Kesses, Turbo, Ainapkoi and Kapsaret would converge at the party office in Eldoret town to elect Uasin Gishu County delegates.

Election boycott

 In Baringo Central, 20 councillors boycotted the grassroots elections alleging bias in the issuance of the Party registration cards.

 They expressed fear that some individuals may be lobbying for their allies in the elections of delegates at the sub-branch levels. In Transmara, Narok County, the polls were marred by poor turnout.

In Kilgoris, a section of supporters protested against what they termed ‘hand-picking’ of officials by the Party ‘power brokers.’ The exercise was allegedly done secretly in Kilgoris town, locking out several members from participating.

However, Willy Korir, elections coordinator in-charge of Emurua Dikirr Constituency said the delegates opted to share the seats on ward basis.

The same was replicated in Eldama Ravine Constituency where contestants associated with the area MP Mosses Lessonet reportedly locked themselves in a room and listed down their names.

Some of the contestants said they were allegedly not informed about the venue where the elections were held.

“No elections were held, people associated with the MP listed down their names and that was the problem in process,” Michael Kiprono, a contestant, alleged.

In Mogotio Constituency, the complaints remained the same with the exercise allegedly remaining a guarded secret among a few groups. URP elections in Bomet County was held at Mogogosiek, Longisa, Olbutyo, Silibwet, Sotik and Olbutyo trading centres.

Earlier on there was tension at Chepalungu Constituency as word spread that some individuals had tampered with the list of delegates from Sigor, Siongiroi and Chebunyo wards. Some supporters claimed that the list had been altered in favour of a certain politician.he claims were, however, deemed unfounded when the Elections Coordinator Richard Terer called out the names.Elections were later said to have been fair.