All set for Malindi mini-poll as candidates remain upbeat of victory

Security agencies are not taking chances as 55, 853 Malindi constituents go to the mini-poll on Monday to elect their new MP.

At least 220 police officers have been assigned to take charge of the 100 polling stations spread out in five wards of the Malindi constituency.

Another group of regular and Administration police is expected to be on standby to ensure maximum security for voters and residents of the tourist resort town.

Returning officer Stephen Karani told a Media briefing at the Barani Secondary School that commission officials had held meetings with the sub-county’s security committee who assured them that adequate security is in place.

Mr Karani and commissioner Yusuf Nzibo said that it was all systems go and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Iebc) was ready to conduct ‘a free, fair transparent and peaceful election’ to ensure that Malindi elects a new MP to fill the vacancy left by Mr Dan Kazungu who was appointed to the Cabinet in December.

The Returning officer reminded the voters that only those whose names appear in the 2013 register will be allowed to vote in the mini-poll to be presided over by 550 officials.

The race to succeed Mr Kazungu has been a bruising one with heavy-weights from Jubilee and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) landing and even camping in the constituency to seek votes for their candidates Phillip Charo (JAP) and William Mtengo (ODM).

Deputy President William Ruto and Cord leader Raila Odinga returned to the constituency twice and stayed on for four days each last week, to drum up support for their respective candidates.

It has been a high stakes battle between the two sides as Jubilee seeks a break-through in a county that voted for ODM overwhelmingly while the Orange party has put up a big fight in a bid to retain its seat.

Voters will also been choosing from three other candidates; Attas Shariff of Labour Party of Kenya (LPK), Reuben Katana of Kadu Asili, and David Mangi of Shirikisho. The names of Nelson Gunga (Federal Party of Kenya) and Peter Ponda of Chama cha Uzalendo are on the ballot paper although they withdrew from the race but not before the printing of the ballot papers.

On Sunday, Mr Charo, Mr Mtengo and Mr Katana sought divine intervention in different churches in Ngala in Shella Ward.

The JAP candidate was at the Kenya Assemblies of God Church where Bishop William Oyugi and Pastor John Thuku led the congregation in praying for Mr Charo.

The former banker also attended prayers at Christ the King Baptist Church in Mtangani from where he urged voters to keep peace and come out in large numbers to vote.

Jubilee legislators Beatrice Elachi (nominated senator), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi Woman Representatiove), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town MP) and TNA secretary general Onyango Oloo among others later joined him at the service.

The ODM candidate Mr Mtengo attended prayers at Soul Harvest Church in the company of the party’s secretary general Ababu Namwamba, senators James Orengo (Siaya), Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) and MP Millie Odhiambo (Suba).

The Kadu Asili candidate worshipped at Miracle Reevival Fellowship Pent Church.

Mr Charo, Mr Mtengo and Mr Katana come from the same Ganda ward home area from where they are expected to vote.

Mr Charo will vote at Maziwani Primary School polling station, Mr Mtengo at Msabaha and Mr
Katana at Mkaomoto polling station.

Distribution of election materials to the 100 polling stations started on Sunday afternoon from Barani Secondary School which will be the tallying centre.

It is expected that legislators mainly from Jubilee and Cord will act as party agents having sworn during their campaigns that they would not leave anything to chance.

According to IEBC Commissioner Thomas Letangule, provisional results will have been relayed by 8pm.

Reported by Daniel Nyassy, Charles Lwanga and Njeri Rugene