MPs Waititu, Gitau arrested in Malindi over voter bribery allegations

Mwea Member of Parliament Peter Gitau and his Kabete counterpart Ferdinand Waititu were Monday morning arrested over allegations of voter bribery in the ongoing Malindi Parliamentary by election.

Waititu was, however, released on a free bond by police after interrogation at the Malindi Police Station even as he dismissed claims of bribing voters.

The Jubilee MP was allegedly roughed up by rival ODM party supporters before being arrested by police and taken to Malindi Police Station where he recorded a statement.

While at the police station, confrontations between the Kabete MP and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho ensued after the later accused the earlier of violating electoral laws.

On the other hand, Gitau – the Mwea MP – was arrested while allegedly in possession of Ksh 32,000. It is reported that the money was meant to briber voters even as the polling process continued.

There are 100 polling stations across Malindi with 55,800 registered voters.

The Malindi race is seen as a two-horse race pitting the ruling coalition’s Philip Charo and ODM’s Willy Mtengo.