TNA denies fraud claims in by-elections nominations

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PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION The National Alliance (TNA) Secretary-General Onyango Oloo (centre) briefs journalists at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi on August 11, 2012 on the by-elections in Kangema, Kajiando North and Ndhiwa constituencies. With him is TNA organising secretary Birya Patrick Chande (left) and chairman Sakaja Johnson.  

By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Monday, August 20  2012 at  14:32

IN SUMMARY

• TNA says nomination process for next month’s by-elections in Kajiado North, Kangema and Ndhiwa were fair
• Party to support candidates with the necessary “logistical support” to participate in the by-election campaigns

The National Alliance (TNA) has defended itself over accusations that its nomination process for next month’s by-elections in Kajiado North, Kangema and Ndhiwa were marred with fraud.

The party also said that it was yet to be served with an order barring it from clearing its Kajiado North candidate Moses ole Sakuda to participate in the by-elections.

TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja and secretary general Onyango Oloo on Monday said that the party had held all the nominations in a “free, fair and transparent manner.”

They added that the party would give the candidates the necessary “logistical support” to participate in the by-election campaigns.

“We had no preferred candidates and if we had then we could have directly nominated them. What we did was to allow the people to choose their preferred candidates and all party agents who participated signed to the results announced by the returning officers,” Mr Sakaja said.

He was responding to allegations by some of the aspirants and presiding officials who have claimed that they were forced to fraudulently announce candidates who had not won fairly.

The TNA officials were speaking at the Panafric hotel in Nairobi where they held a meeting with the candidates and those who lost the nominations.

However, some of the aspirants did not participate in the meeting.

“We have had frank and honest discussions and those who lost have admitted that they lost free and fairly. We therefore urge our supporters to come out in large numbers and support our candidates and ensure that they win the by-elections,” Mr Oloo said.

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He added that the party had only seen that one of the aspirants in Kajiado North, Gitau Parsimei, had gone to court to block Mr Sakuda.

He said that the party will “tackle the issue appropriately” once it receives the court papers.

Mr Sakuda emerged victorious in Kajiado North with 16,130 (90 percent of the vote) followed by his only challenger, Mr Parsimei, who got 1, 677 votes.

Parties have between Thursday and Sunday to present their candidates to the IEBC.

Mr Parsimei has gone to court arguing that the nominations were not free and fair and has asked the court to clock Mr Sakuda from presenting his papers to IEBC.

Justice Mabeya ruled that pending the hearing and determination of the petition, IEBC should not receive Sekuda’s nomination papers.

Joseph Manje who had, however, dropped out of the race came third with 19 votes.

According to Mr Oloo, Mr Manje told the TNA meeting that allegations of fraud in the nominations did not hold any water.