IEBC clears four for Malindi by-election

What you need to know:

  • IEBC says checking if academic papers for Mtengo are authentic is not part of its job.

  • Prepare for bruising encounter, Joho tells opponents in battle to recapture ODM seat.

  • Kadu Asili, Maendeleo Development Party, Kanu and CCU to present papers Tuesday.

Political heavyweights from Cord and Jubilee landed in Malindi on Monday to drum up support for their candidates after the electoral commission cleared them to run in next month’s parliamentary by-election.

The ODM candidate, Mr William Mtengo, whose academic papers had been the subject of heated debate, and his Jubilee counterpart, Mr Phillip Charo, were cleared alongside three others by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), to run for the March 7 by-election.

Mr Mtengo was the first to present his papers at 8.30am. Accompanying him were Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, who is also the ODM deputy party leader, and his Kilifi counterpart, Mr Amason Kingi.

After clearing Mr Mtengo, the IEBC returning officer, Mr Stephen Karani, said that the work of checking the authenticity of documents lies with investigating agencies.

“We are not here to investigate the authenticity of the papers but to clear the candidate upon presentation of all the required documents. We have not detected anything wrong with his documents,” he said.

ENTOURAGES

The Cord team later embarked on a road show and in the evening addressed a public rally at Ngala Estate grounds in Malindi town.

Among those who campaigned for him were Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula and at least 15 MPs from the Opposition.

Mr Charo arrived at the IEBC office in a convoy of more than 20 vehicles to cheers from a large crowd of supporters.

He was cleared and given his certificate at 12.45pm and was escorted by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro of ODM, among other politicians, including Taveta MP Naomi Shaban, Kilifi South MP Mustafa Iddi (ODM), nominated senator Emma Mbura, Kinango MP Gonzi Rai, his Gatundu South counterpart, Mr Moses Kuria and businessman Suleiman Shahbal.

“We are now going to talk and seek for votes from the residents of Malindi,” Mr Charo said as his supporters went into a frenzy.

Mr Duale said Jubilee was happy that its candidate had been presented with a certificate by the IEBC.

“We believe in free and fair elections. We will not insult anybody. We are going to conduct our campaigns with humility,” he said.

Other candidates cleared Monday were Mr Attasi Sharriff Ali of the Labour Party of Kenya, Mr David Mangi of Shirikisho Party of Kenya and  Mr Nelson Gunga of the Federal Party of Kenya.

Cord principals Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang'ula and Kalonzo Musyoka on the podium alongside Governors Amason Kingi, Hassan Joho during campaigns for their coalition's aspirant Mr Mtengo at Ngala Grounds in Malindi on February 8, 2016. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

BRUISING BATTLE

Immediately after ODM’s Mr Mtengo was cleared, governor Kingi urged voters to be ready, warning that the government would try to intimidate the opposition candidate.

“While Coast people want to be in government, they are not ready to be in any government, certainly not the Jubilee government. They want to be in an ODM government which will be formed in August next year,” he said.

Mr Joho promised Jubilee a bruising battle in the by-election saying every arsenal will be utilised to make sure the party retains the seat, which fell vacant after Mr Dan Kazungu was appointed to the Cabinet as the secretary for Mining.

Mr Mtengo urged voters not to fear what he called harassment from the government but “stand firm until we win”.

Other opposition politicians included Kilifi County Woman Rep Aisha Jumwa and ODM nominated Senator Agnes Zani. After he was cleared to vie, LPK’s Mr Sharriff said: “I was vetted by the elders and emerged number three. I have a big block of my supporters’ driven from the larger Mijikenda community. I also enjoy a good support from the Muslims community and of course, all the people of Malindi. That is why I am sure that I will win.”

Shirikisho’s Mangi — who was the choice of Kaya elders — was escorted by his supporters through Malindi streets dressed in traditional attire.

He said this was a new beginning and urged residents to vote for a candidate that will bring development in the area.

“We decided to vie with a local party that understands and will solve various problems facing residents in the area, including lands issues, poverty, education and insecurity,” he told the Nation outside IEBC office after his clearance at 2pm.

Reported by Daniel Nyassy, Philip Muyanga, Kazungu Samuel and Charles Lwanga