Narc-K hails poll win, eyes 2012

The Narc-Kenya party, which won two seats during Monday's by-elections, has exuded confidence that it was the “party of the future”.

Secretary general Danson Mungatana welcomed the win and said that it was a sign of change that was sweeping the country. He added that Kenyans had lost confidence in the PNU/ODM government thus the change of guard in two of the constituencies.

“Narc-Kenya is not about big names and big people. This is why we are calling on the unknown professionals to come and join us and vie for these positions,” said Mr Mungatana.

He said he hoped that more people would join the party and take up the government in 2012.

The flower party also asked the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) to act on complaints made during the campaigns in order to enhance the electoral system ahead of the 2012 elections.

Narc-Kenya's William Kabogo and Gidion Mbuvi triumphed in Juja and Makadara constituencies respectively, in two of the three by-elections held on Monday. It wrestled both seats from PNU, which were held by George Thuo and Dick Wathika.

Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of ODM emerged victorious in Starehe constituency, trouncing PNU's Maina Kamanda.

Meanwhile, PNU spokesman Moses Kuria has blamed the party's leadership for the loss and said that all candidates should have gone through the nomination process.

 “It is interesting that the party chairman Prof George Saitoti did not visit any of the constituencies yet the party had candidates throughout,” said Mr Kuria.

He added that it was time political parties were managed by professionals instead of politicians.

Elsewhere, IIEC Chairman Isaack Hassan called for the electronic system to be adopted so that the results relayed could be announced as the final results.

The results were also being updated at the IIEC website by the minute, keeping Kenyans across the world abreast of the results in all the three constituencies.

He, however, expressed concern over the low voter turnout in the three constituencies and compared it with the Matuga by-elections that had earlier recorded 80 per cent.

Civic elections in three wards were also taking place in three constituencies.

Orange Democratic Party clinched the wards seats in Nyatike and Lamu West constituencies while the civic seat in Ndhiwa constituency was taken by the Ford Kenya contestant.