Rigging claims mar ODM Malindi by election nominations

Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) nomination exercise for the Malindi parliamentary by-election hangs in limbo after party electoral officials declined to release the results following claims by candidates that the exercise was marred by irregularities.

The tallying exercise ended in disarray at Tadhibu Muslim Academy in Malindi after Kakuyuni MCA Nixon Mramba alleged that some ballot papers had been stolen by people who had reportedly been ferried to the centre.

“A vehicle ferrying ballot papers was blocked by two cars and the occupant forced to hand over the papers,” claimed Mramba.

The reports sparked outrage among supporters of several candidates prompting ODM electoral officials to call off the exercise without announcing the winner.

Mramba threatened to decamp to Jubilee if ODM imposed a candidate in the by-election.

The nomination exercise has attracted a number of candidates including Ahmed Ali Akaku, Daniel Dadu Chome, Hassan Said Rashid, Justin Kazungu Baya, Johnson Karisa Banzi, Rashid Odhiambo Ogello, Stephen Sanga Barrawah, Timothy Mwambire and William Baraka Mtengo.

By the time of going to the press, William Baraka Mtengo’s supporters were already celebrating, as he appeared to be on the lead.

By Reuben Ogachi