ODM wants Kilifi by-election postponed over coronavirus fears

Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at a past event. [File, Standard]

The Orange party wants the electoral agency to call off the planned by-election in Dabaso Ward over the fears of coronavirus pandemic, which has caused panic in Kilifi County.

This even as the race to fill Msambweni and Kahawa Wendani ward seats intensified after a newly-registered outfit, Party of Economic Democracy (PED), vowed to field candidates and test their popularity.

Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the party has not had time to campaign for its candidate following the Government’s directive to Kenyans to stay at home.

“We want IEBC to postpone the election in Dabaso because the party cannot even campaign in that area. We want the by-election rescheduled to enable us deal with this public health scare,” said Sifuna.

Dabaso seat felt vacant after the Court of Appeal in Mombasa ruled that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) erred in declaring Emmanuel Changawa the winner in the 2017 General Election.

Already, the Commission has set April 29 as the date for the by-election.

On the other hand, Kahawa Wendani residents will go to the polls to choose a new MCA following the death of Cyrus Omondi while Msambweni constituents will pick a new MP following the death of Suleiman Dori.