Nairobi News

Must ReadNews

Tuju defiant as Jubilee primaries abort countrywide


Jubilee Party National Election Board has dismissed claims that the ongoing party primaries has been stopped in some areas due to shortage of ballot papers.

The board chairman Raphael Tuju said the exercise that started Friday morning has not been postponed in any county.

He said ballot papers dispatched to the polling stations are enough and should need arise, more will be delivered before the end of the exercise.

“Turn out in all primaries have never exceeded 35-40 percent,” Mr Tuju said.

“The ballot papers distributed to all counties cover more than 50 percent of the registered party membership.”

He said there is no cause for alarm as the party has put 8 choppers on standby to respond to any arising emergencies.

In Nakuru, police were forced to shoot in the air and lob teargas canisters following chaotic situations experienced in Mau Summit in Kuresoi North and in the hotly contested Biashara Ward in Nakuru Town in the confusion that has marred the Jubilee Party primaries in the county.

SHOTS FIRED

In Mau Summit, residents have blocked the Kericho-Nakuru highway at Mau Summit and the entrance to Mau Summit Secondary School protesting alleged vote rigging.

Police were forced to shoot in the air to disperse the protesting crowds after a section of the voters turned rowdy.

Voting at St Xaviers Primary School polling station in Nakuru Town East constituency was temporarily disrupted when a group of youth stormed the station following protests over delay in delivery of polling materials.

In Laikipia County ballot materials were burnt in five polling stations. The affected centres are Kanyoni, Mugumo Primary school and Nyaregeno Primary school, all in Laikipia East Constituency.

At Baraka dispensary, voters tore the ballot papers and destroyed ballot boxes.

Voters were angered by few ballot papers delivered compared to the high number of voters who turned out as well as use of IEBC 2013 register instead of the updated one.

IEBC REGISTER

Meanwhile, voting is now underway in parts of Kiambu, West Pokot and Meru Counties. But in other areas of the counties, the exercise has either not started or has been stopped midway.

As at 11 am, voters were casting their ballots at Kiambu community hall. However, voting was yet to start at 11.40 am at St Georges Primary school in Ruiru, where the incumbent Governor William Kabogo is expected to vote.

At Imenti South constituency tallying center in Meru county, distribution of voting materials to polling stations was yet to start by 11.20 am. But the exercise has been stopped at Imenti North Constituency, Meru County.

Area MP Rahim Dawood his opponent former Interior Principal secretary Mutea Iringo differed over whether to use party list or IEBC register to identify voters.

Mr Iringo insists national identity cards and IEBC register should be used while Mr Dawood fears it was a ploy to rig him out. He is currently at Meru police station.

In Igembe North, Meru aspirants Julius Taitumu and Maoka Maore said ballot papers are not sufficient. The voting which started late is underway.

Supporters of incumbent MP Joseph M’Eruaki’s accused opponents of hijacking the process.