Land dominates campaign rallies as candidates fight for Malindi parliamentary seat

All candidates in the March 7 Malindi parliamentary by-elections have promised to resolve the land problem in the constituency once elected.

The issue has dominated campaign rallies.

Speaking on Tuesday after he was cleared to vie for the seat on a Kadu Asili ticket, Reuben Mwamure said he will push for the establishment of new land rules to allow quick subdivisions and issuance of title deeds in the constituency.

“The land problem has become a menace in Malindi constituency. A big percentage of the locals are still living as squatters. A solution lies with parliament. That will be my first assignment if I get there,” said Mr Mwamure.

David Mangi of Shirikisho party vowed to make sure that land problem in Malindi and coast was resolved.

“When I get to parliament, my first assignment will be to formulate a bill to speed [up] the issuance of title deeds in Malindi Constituency and the Coast region,” he said.

Speaking at a campaign rally for William Baraka Mtengo at Ngala grounds in Malindi, ODM deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said it was sad that squatters in the Coast had been living in fear of eviction from their own land.

JUBILEE DEVELOPMENT RECORD

Addressing a rally for Jubilee candidate Philip Charo at Alaskan ground, Jubilee politicians led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale concentrated on the government’s development scorecard.

“This road which connects to Sala gate is going to be one of the finest roads leading to the park in Kenya. It is done by the Jubilee government. There are so many things you will achieve,” said Mr Duale.

At the same, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that candidates bribing voters will be disqualified.

This follows claims by both Cord and Jubilee that each was planning to steal votes before and on the March 7 polling day.

Kwale Woman Rep Zainab Chidzuga told a rally to drum up support for Jubilee candidate Philip Charo at Kijiwetanga Primary School recently that Cord had started buying identity cards from voters with a view to blocking them from voting.

PLAN TO STEAL VOTES

Addressing a Cord rally presided over by the three principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula at Ngala Estate grounds in Malindi on Monday, Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi claimed that Jubilee was planning to steal votes.

Mr Musyoka backed the claim and warned that chaos will break out starting in Malindi then spreading throughout the country if ODM candidate William Mtengo’s votes were stolen.

Speaking during an interview at the IEBC office in Malindi Wednesday, North Coast Coordinator Ms Amina Soud warned parties and candidates that “the full force of the electoral law” will be applied to anyone who violated it.

“We want to conduct an election that is transparent, free and fair with all the rules of the game strictly adhered to.

“Anyone who violates it will be dealt with including barring the candidates even if they have been declared winners after the election,” she warned.

Ms Soud said that party officials, candidates and their agents and security officers have been made fully aware of the code of conduct of an election.

“We have held several general pre-election meetings and a special meeting with party candidates and their agents over the code of conduct and particularly violence.