ODM wants IEBC to address alleged electoral offenses in Malindi

What you need to know:

  • Mr Namwamba claims a group of Jubilee supporters attended an ODM rally in Shela on Saturday and heckled speakers.
  • Mr Namwamba said their supporters restrained themselves and did not engage the alleged hecklers.

  • ODM claims that up to 2,000 people are missing from Malindi Constituency voters register and wants the electoral commission to explain.

ODM has written to the electoral commission saying there were election malpractices in campaigns for the Malindi by-election including alleged attacks on its officials and supporters.

In a letter addressed to the electoral commission chairman Isaack Hassan, party secretary-general Ababu Namwamba said there had been election malpractices in the Malindi by-election campaigns yet the commission had not responded.

Mr Namwamba, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho and party’s candidate William Mtengo complained that a member of the ODM campaign secretariat, Mr Sammy Nyundo, was attacked on Sunday by goons who reportedly identified themselves as Jubilee supporters.

“The goons beat him up senselessly in an unprovoked attack. He was treated at Pwani Hospital and discharged. He has reported to the police,” Mr Namwamba said Tuesday.

HECKLERS

In another case, he said, a group of people he claimed were Jubilee supporters attended an ODM rally in Shela on Saturday and heckled speakers.

Mr Namwamba said their supporters restrained themselves and did not engage the alleged hecklers.

The ODM team further claimed Deputy President William Ruto used public resources to campaign in Malindi terming it a breach of electoral regulations.

“The DP flew to Malindi for campaigns for the Jubilee candidate using a military helicopter and used other government resources. This is a case of personally benefiting from public resources. This is the face of corruption,” Mr Namwamba said.

Further, the party claimed that up to 2,000 people are missing from Malindi Constituency voters register and wants the electoral commission to explain.

“Over 2,000 human beings have suddenly disappeared from the voters register. What exactly happened to this register? Mr Namwamba asked.

He added: “The matters we have raised require a comprehensive response from the electoral commission. We also want  the commission to remain independent as its name suggests.

We are not just complaining, all we want is a fair, free and credible election in Malindi.”

The ODM team later campaigned for Mr Mtengo at Mere, Ganda Ward where Mr Ruto had just addressed a rally.