Jubilee tells IEBC to uphold professionalism in Malindi by-election

As campaigns for Malindi parliamentary seat take off, National Assembly Majority Leader Adan Duale warned against malpractice saying it is time for the electoral commission to prove its competence.

Mr Duale who led the campaigns at Alaskan grounds after the clearance of contender Philip Charo by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), cautioned against vote stealing.

“If the votes are stolen in Malindi, you will not conduct the 2017 elections,” Mr Duale said, adding that “our politics is that of development, Mr Charo has qualified. We do not want tribal politics.”

The Majority Leader described Mr Charo’s candidature as the “first born” in the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) in an apparent reference to the merger of Jubilee affiliate parties.

Also, Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro said together with other political leaders they have united to support the former banker and urged Malindi constituents to do the same.

“We have united to give direction to our people, from Tuesday we shall embark on grassroots campaigns," the MP said.

On his part, Mr Charo said for the area to develop it will require cooperation between the people and government.

“We want to conduct peaceful campaigns, I come with humility to ask for your votes. We need to write a new story about Malindi,” said Mr Charo.

Other leaders who drummed up support for Mr Charo's election are MPs Zainab Chidzuga, Mustapha Iddi, Moses Kuria, Peter Shehe, Shariff Alwy, Khatib Mwashetani, Gonzi Rai and Senator Emma Mbura.

At the same time, Taveta MP Naomi Shabaan and other legislators endorsed Mr Mung’aro as their regional leader.