Jubilee, Cord in last-minute campaign in Malindi
Deputy President William Ruto (in a cap) accompanied by Jubilee leaders after meeting boda boda operators and women's groups at Eden Rock Resort in Malindi on March 4, 2016. PHOTO | SAMUEL KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The government has given 40 vehicles to security agencies in Malindi.
- Mr Kassim Pojjo, a URP rep for Mwereni Ward in Kwale County who was campaigning for ODM candidate William Mtengo, was arrested and later released.
The Jubilee and Cord coalitions Friday engaged in last-minute campaigns in Malindi in a bid to woo voters ahead of Monday’s by-election.
Deputy President William Ruto led the Jubilee brigade in campaigning for their candidate, Mr Philip Charo, while Mr Raila Odinga led the Cord team to drum up support for Mr William Mtengo.
Mr Ruto met different groups and concluded with rallies at the Msabaha and Ngala grounds in Malindi town.
Mr Ruto, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, MPs Gideon Mung'aro, Gonzi Rai, Khatib Mwashetani and Kwale Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga as well as Senator Beatrice Aachi started off the day by meeting Kaya elders.
He later held separate meetings with hundreds of boda boda operators and women's groups from the constituency.
At the meeting held at the Eden Rock Resort in Malindi town, the Deputy President urged residents to vote for Mr Charo.
"We have not just promised to work with people of Malindi and improve their standards of living but we have also shown that we keep our promises," said Mr Ruto.
He described Mr Charo as a development-conscious leader of integrity who would work with the government to develop the area.
He announced that the government had given 40 vehicles to security agencies in Malindi that will be used to fight insecurity in the town.
The Cord team had a rough start after an MCA was arrested on allegations of vote buying.
Mr Odinga had to reschedule his flight to allow him time to seek the release of Mr Kassim Pojjo, who was arrested on Thursday night and was being detained at the Malindi Police Station.
Cord supporters storm the Malindi Police Station, where an MCA was being detained over allegations of vote buying on March 4, 2016. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Mr Pojjo is a URP MCA for Mwereni Ward in Kwale County but was campaigning for the ODM candidate.
Mr Odinga was accompanied by his co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang’ula, governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi), and senators Stewart Madzayo, James Orengo and Hassan Omar.
ODM supporters forced their way into the Malindi Police Station compound, where they were addressed by their leaders.
Mr Joho had said they would stay put until the MCA was released.
Acting Division Criminal Investigations Officer Jacob Ngao said the MCA was arrested on suspicion of vote buying.
The MCA was released at 11.30am
The Cord team later addressed a rally at Mwaweni in Malindi town.
