It’s all systems go for Mathare poll

What you need to know:

  • The returning officer, who was flanked by the commission’s communications manager Tabitha Mutemi, said the elections agency would inspect all the 13 polling stations Saturday.
  • The commission will also mount screens inside and outside the hall to enable candidates and their supporters to watch the transmission of the results as they unfold.

A total of 690 poll officials have been deployed to oversee the Mathare by-election in Nairobi on Monday.

Campaigns for the parliamentary seat — which has attracted nine aspirants — will end today at 6pm, according to returning officer Joseph Masindet.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official was addressing the press Friday at St Teresa’s Girls Primary School in Nairobi.
“I appeal to employers to grant their staff time off to exercise their right to vote,” Mr Masindet said.

The seat fell vacant after the High Court in Nairobi nullified the election of Mr George Wanjohi (TNA) following a successful petition by Mr Steven Kariuki (ODM).
IN THE FRAY
Both men are in the fray after earning nominations from their respective parties.

The other candidates are: Mr Billian Okoth Ojiwa (National Labour Party), Mr Sammy Jentruo Mudanya (Progressive Party of Kenya) and Mr Fwamba Nyangangali Crispus (Maendeleo Democratic Party).

The rest are independent candidates Barack Obat Blasto, Nixon Kavai Inziria, Mariam Muthoni Macharia and William Omondi (a former Kasarani MP).
Mr Omondi is a “late entrant” after being cleared by the High Court to vie for the seat two days ago.

“The candidates have conducted peaceful campaigns. I assure them and the voters that IEBC is well prepared for the by-election,” Mr Masindet said.

The returning officer, who was flanked by the commission’s communications manager Tabitha Mutemi, said the elections agency would inspect all the 13 polling stations Saturday.

“The polling stations will open from 6am and close at 5pm. The time will not be extended. The winner will be announced on Monday at the St Teresa’s Girls Primary School, which is the main tallying centre,” Mr Masindet said.

The commission will also mount screens inside and outside the hall to enable candidates and their supporters to watch the transmission of the results as they unfold.

Mr Masindet said that security would be tight as more than 500 police officers have been deployed in the sprawling constituency for the by-election. Two hundred of them will man the main tallying centre.

The official said the election agency had released the list of all the 230 presiding officers, their deputies and 460 clerks.