KANU: Kericho by-election results were doctored

KANU has rejected the recently released Kericho by-election results, saying that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was compromised.

Speaking during a press conference at KANU headquarters, party leaders stated that they received massive support from voters in Kericho County, but this was not evidenced in the final results because the poll body was compromised.

‘We were humbled by the massive support we got in Kericho. IEBC was compromised and we are aware the results they announced were tampered with,” said Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

Paul Sang, who lost to Aaron Cheruiyot of JAP, said that IEBC was hostile to his party’s agents.

‘The IEBC locked out our agents deliberately so that they could steal votes. As I sit here I know I am the senator of the people of Kericho. They stole their votes but not their hearts,” said Sang.

According to ex-Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat, Sang beat Cheruiyot by garnering 126, 493 votes to his opponent’s 38, 162 votes.

KANU Secretary General Nick Salat reiterated his party members’ sentiments, saying they had reported the electoral malpractice.

“IEBC deliberately delegated its duties in Kericho; we are aware of this and have reported the matter. These results were clearly manipulated,” he said.

Salat went on to state that the by-elections were rigged to protect the reputation of some politicians – a comment that was most likely directed at Deputy President William Ruto.

“IEBC claims that their system failed and this should further help to point to the fact that the results are not genuine. We as KANU declare that the Kericho by-elections were rigged and know that this was done to save the face of some politicians,” he continued.

Senator Moi said that despite the outcome of the polls, KANU will go back to Kericho to thank voters for their immense support, adding that the party will not back down come 2017.

“We will however go to Kericho to thank the people who supported us from the time we started our campaigns to the last day of elections. Despite what we know happened we want to assure the people Kericho people that we are still together as one and that KANU is ready for 2017,” said Moi.

The by-elections, which took place on March 7^th, were seen to be a key test of strength for Jubilee’s new political outfit – especially since some members of the ruling coalition had stated that they were unwilling to dissolve their individual parties in favour of the new political vehicle.