NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 – The National Elections Board of the ODM has rescinded its earlier decision to conduct fresh grassroots polls in Nairobi County, following reports that the elections were not transparent.
The Board, under the chairmanship of Philip Okundi, said that it had conducted consultations with stakeholders and decided against a repeat of the polls in the larger Nairobi County, although it will conduct new elections in Kasarani sub branch.
Okundi further revealed that elections in Nakuru County will be repeated on Saturday while a repeat in Tana River and Nyandarua counties is scheduled for December 10.
The Board has also ordered for a repeat in several other sub branches including Lugari, Muhoroni, Nyando, Gwassi, Nyakach, Kathiani, Othaya, Kerugoya and Khwisero.
“The Nyamira County elections which were not held due to the Kitutu Masaba by election will be held as earlier announced from December 9 to 12,” explained Okundi.
He added that the polls in the sub branches will be conducted on December 3 and 10.
The Board had earlier announced that there would be fresh grassroots elections in Nairobi following the controversial election of Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa.
Aladwa, who was backed by seven chairmen from city branches, was elected after Stephen Kariuki from Starehe constituency pulled out of the race following disagreements on the voting system.
Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru also termed the poll a sham accusing rivals of using people who were not genuine party delegates to win the election.
“The only way we are going to know the true delegates is through secret ballot, but they have filled the hall and called for mlolongo (queuing). It is not fair and so Starehe… we are out of it,” she said before leading several delegates in a walkout.
Other officials elected to represent Nairobi county include; Ibrahim Ahmed (Vice Chairman), former Nairobi Mayor Godfrey Majiwa (County Secretary), Charles Kiarie (Organising Secretary) and Elizabeth Kimkung as the women’s representative.
In addition, polls in the larger Meru County as well as Muhoroni constituency were stopped by Court injunctions after participants sought legal redress claiming electoral malpractices.
Claims that participants were using fake delegates’ lists to swing the polls, which followed the queuing system, in their favour were rampant.
On the other hand, elections in some parts of Mombasa County were marred by violence with different factions accusing each other of attempting to rig the polls. The matter was however resolved after a splinter group boycotted the exercise.
Meanwhile, Okundi further warned participants against electoral malpractices saying those found guilty risked being disqualified.
The Board also announced that it was currently auditing the results of the polls and would announce the results, once the process was concluded.
“We unreservedly condemn any unethical acts perpetrated by a few individuals who have a phobia for democracy and the Board will scrutinize complaints and those found to have committed electoral malpractices will be reprimanded and in extreme cases disqualified even if already elected,” said Okundi in a statement.
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