Leaders persuade locals to enlist as voters

A member of the Youth Congress pins posters in Huruma, Nairobi, on January 12, 2016 urging people to register as voters. Leaders of Kitui are also urging people to register. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Senator David Musila told the Nation on Friday that voting is important because people get to choose people worthy of leadership.

Leaders from Kitui County have urged the residents to enlist as voters to increase the region’s voting numbers ahead of the General Election.

Senator David Musila told the Nation on Friday that voting is important because people get to choose people worthy of leadership.

"Registering as voters guarantees the electorate the democratic right to elect leaders of choice at the ward, constituency, county and national levels," Mr Musila, who has declared his bid for Kitui governor seat, said.

Also former Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu plans to unseat the incumbent Julius Malombe.

Mass registration begins from January 16 to February 15.

"They should also ensure that they actually vote during the forthcoming national polls. We don’t want a situation where people register as voters and fail to cast their vote at the ballot,” he said over the phone.

His sentiments were echoed by MPs Francis Nyenze (Kitui West) and Charles Nyamai (Kitui Rural) who said the community needed massive vote count to effectively compete for the country’s top leadership.

“With large numbers of registered voters, we will be able to sit at the high table where national resources are divided and distributed,” Mr Nyenze said.

On his part, Mr Nyamai said that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is counting on the Kamba vote to actualise his presidential ambition.

“This is our best chance to gun for Kenya’s top seat. But we first have to strengthen our voter volume for Kalonzo to enjoy a smooth sail into State House,” he said.