Aspirants denied access to campaign in Kenyatta’s farm

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Mombasa, Kenya: Three parliamentary candidates on Friday complained that they were being denied access to the vast Gicheha Farm, owned by the Kenyatta family to solicit votes.

The candidates who included Ruth Lelewu (ODM), Basil Criticos (RRP) and Stephen Odiaga (Ford Kenya) said they had raised their concerns with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on numerous occasions to intervene but in vain.

Speaking separately to The Standard, the politicians said their effort to sell their policies to approximately 1,000 registered voters at the farm had been frustrated by the farm management.

Mr Odiaga, who is a Mombasa based Lawyer claimed they had on numerous occasions been, blocked from entering Ziwani primary school and Kidong areas both polling stations situated in the farm to talk to the voters who are mainly farm workers.

“There are many registered voters in the polling stations at the farm and why are we being denied access to talk to them. The farm management should know that a polling station is a public place and they should be flexible to allow all candidates from various political parties to campaign,” noted the aspirant.

 “It has become impossible for us to meet the voters at the farm. The security at the farm is telling us to get clearance from Ruiru and IEBC must intervene to save the situation,” he added.

The candidates wondered why IEBC was taking too long to address the matter as the March 4 general election approaches.

Ms Lelewu claimed the farm management was only harassing Cord candidates. She said IEBC officials recently promised to meet the farm management but WERE unsuccessful.

“We met with IEBC officials recently and deliberated on the issue but they are still watching as Cord candidates continue to be locked out of the farm. The situation is undemocratic and should not be allowed to continue,” said the politicians.

A senior manager at the farm who only identified himself as a Mr Mworia however down played the issue saying nobody had been blocked from meeting the workers to solicit for votes.

“It is not true that the farm management has stopped politicians from entering the farm to look for votes. Those protesting have failed to follow the right procedures, “he said while shrugging off the
politicians claims.

Mworia clarified that anybody visiting the farm must get clearance from the security department. “This is a private farm and has its own rules that must be followed, “he said.

Speaking to The Standard on the phone, the manager told the politicians to use the right channel when visiting the farm.

“We will not allow politicians to come to the farm to campaign during day time as this will disrupt operations. With proper arrangement with the farm management they will be allowed to seek their votes, “he maintained.

IEBC Commissioner Yusuf Nzibo said he was not aware of the issue and referred The Standard to Coast the commission’s Regional Coordinator Amina Soud whose mobile phone went unanswered.