By - Elections Very latest

ODM took a commanding lead in Shinyalu with 77 out of the 80 polling stations counted. Meanwhile in Bomachoge, PNU steadily ate into the ODM lead in by-elections that were characterised by tension, allegations of voter bribery, and voter apathy.

By 1.30am the orange party candidate in Shinyalu Justus Kizito had 14,615 votes while Daniel Khamasi of Kaddu had 6,540 aand PNU’s Patrick Chungani trailed with 2,940. In Bomachoge, ODM’s candidate Simeon Ogari was leading with 8,373 votes while his closest rival and former MP Joel Onyancha had 6,456 of 76 polling stations that had been counted. The UDM candidate Zephania Nyang’wara had 363 votes while the Ford-People contestant Albert Nyaundi had 164.


Bribery stood out as a dark stain on our electoral process, in the first elections held under the watch of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC). The Ahmed Hassan Issack-led commission is the successor of the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) — which was heavily discredited for bungling the 2007 presidential election — albeit on an interim basis.

Most polling stations were open by 6.15am in both constituencies, but voting got off to a slow start with only a handful voters turning up to vote early.

In Shinyalu, the fact that some voters had their names missing in the voter register despite having cards did not make things easier.

Eight agents of various political parties were arrested on allegations of doling out bribes to voters at polling stations.

Speaking to The Standard earlier in the day, Kakamega OCPD John Mwinzi said his officers had arrested four people over voter bribery and double registration.

"We are still pursuing others whom we believe are involved in election malpractices," he said, adding that the suspects would soon be charged.

IIEC Commissioner Ken Nyaundi acknowledged that cases of bribery had been reported to the IIEC.

The front-runners for the Shinyalu seat were Kizito, Babetuu Amutavi (New Ford Kenya), PNU’s Patrick Chungani and Kaddu’s Daniel Khamasi.

Other contestants for the Shinyalu seat were Jennifer Shamala (UDM), Silas Andega (NVP), Patrick Ayisi (Narc Kenya), Geoffrey Agwili (Ford-Kenya), Christopher Milimu (Ford People), Ambrose Lusuli (Kanu) and Gerrishon Machanja (Afford Kenya).

Voting took place in 80 polling stations around the constituency with 40,531 registered voters.

In Bomachoge — which has 46,761 voters — voting got-off to a slow start in an election that ODM’s Ogari was expected to give Onyancha — whose election was nullified following a successful petition — a run for his money.

There was a heated argument between political party agents and the presiding officer at Nyamonyo polling station earlier in the day over how illiterate voters were to be assisted. The agents insisted they had a right to help such voters.

Presiding Officer Jeff Omondi, however, said such voters had a right to nominate any person to assist them only once.

Several voters whose names missing in the voters roll were turned away. Such cases were reported at Gucha County, Nyamonyo Farmers Co-operative and Public Works polling stations.

Bomachoge Returning Officer Thomas Ingolo said he had received calls from presiding officers over the issue.

"I have got so many calls over missing names but we have a separate register for such voters. It is possible they may have registered twice, and we have a separate register for verification," Mr Ingolo said.

Following the voter registration that was undertaken by the IIEC, voters were given five days to verify their details, but indications are that very few did so.

On voter bribery allegations, Mr Ingolo said he had called Gucha OCPD Mr Richard Ngetich and asked him to send officers to clamp down on those violating the law.

A drunken presiding officer was arrested and replaced. An IIEC commissioner, Mr Davies Chirchir, said the officer assigned to Rianyangita Primary School was found drunk.

Speaking at Nyamonyo Farmers Cooperative Society, Safina candidate Cyprian Nyamwamu alleged that Government officials in ODM and PNU had blatantly violated the law by promising goodies during the campaigns.

"The Government should be ashamed for bribing voters instead of changing their lives through policy. It is not possible that so many voters are turned away due to errors. Even my father has been turned away," Nyamwamu claimed.

The Shinyalu seat fell vacant following the death of former area MP Charles Lilechi Lugano in May this year.

The Kanu candidate, Lusuli, was among those who protested over voter bribery.

In some stations, voters declined to cast their ballot papers on condition that the respective candidates offer them handouts.