UDA aspirant accuses Mandago of voter manipulation in Senate race
By Joshua Cheloti
Youthful lawyer Kipchumba Karori has demanded a repeat of the Uasin Gishu Senatorial nomination for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Karori in a media briefing in Eldoret town accused governor Jackson Mandago, his main competitor in the race, of voter manipulation, intimidation, and using county resources in the just concluded UDA nominations.
According to Karori, the results that have been announced so far are not a true reflection of the will of the people.
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File image of UDA senatorial aspirant Oliver Kipchumba Karori. |Courtesy| Uasin Gishu News|[/caption]
No official results have been announced in regards to the Senate seat race in Uasin Gishu, although preliminary results indicate that Mandago was headed for a win.
“We are here to complain about voter manipulation by my competitor Jackson Mandago, and the use of county staff, county vehicles, and intimidations meted on our agents,” Karori said.
“We have documented 54 polling stations and we are here to ask the UDA party that we don’t want favors but a free and fair election. The senate nomination should be repeated,” he added.
The lawyer claims Mandago, using his county staff stuffed extra ballot papers in a number of polling stations to tilt the votes in his favor.
He says he has already directed his lawyers to submit a formal complaint to the UDA Dispute Resolution Tribunal so that his concerns are addressed, in the hope a repeat nomination will be directed.
“We know that Ksh6 million was used to do the equalizing of votes and that is why some polling stations were held for so long before the results were announced,” noted Karori.
He however called on his supporters to remain calm as they follow the laid down channel in addressing their grievances.
Asked as to whether he will be contemplating vying for the seat as an independent candidate, Karori said that decision will only be made after available channels are exhausted.
“We will not accept results from manipulated polling stations. We don’t want favors, we know how to fight it. We have to repeat the polls and get it right,” he noted.
No official results have so far been announced for three main elective positions in Uasin Gishu.
Only three Constituencies have announced official results with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi clinching the UDA ticket.
Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat won the Soy MP ticket while former Uasin Gishu County Finance CECM CPA Julius Ruto clinched the ticket for Kesses Constituency.
File image of UDA senatorial aspirant Oliver Kipchumba Karori. |Courtesy| Uasin Gishu News|[/caption]
No official results have been announced in regards to the Senate seat race in Uasin Gishu, although preliminary results indicate that Mandago was headed for a win.
“We are here to complain about voter manipulation by my competitor Jackson Mandago, and the use of county staff, county vehicles, and intimidations meted on our agents,” Karori said.
“We have documented 54 polling stations and we are here to ask the UDA party that we don’t want favors but a free and fair election. The senate nomination should be repeated,” he added.
The lawyer claims Mandago, using his county staff stuffed extra ballot papers in a number of polling stations to tilt the votes in his favor.
He says he has already directed his lawyers to submit a formal complaint to the UDA Dispute Resolution Tribunal so that his concerns are addressed, in the hope a repeat nomination will be directed.
“We know that Ksh6 million was used to do the equalizing of votes and that is why some polling stations were held for so long before the results were announced,” noted Karori.
He however called on his supporters to remain calm as they follow the laid down channel in addressing their grievances.
Asked as to whether he will be contemplating vying for the seat as an independent candidate, Karori said that decision will only be made after available channels are exhausted.
“We will not accept results from manipulated polling stations. We don’t want favors, we know how to fight it. We have to repeat the polls and get it right,” he noted.
No official results have so far been announced for three main elective positions in Uasin Gishu.
Only three Constituencies have announced official results with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi clinching the UDA ticket.
Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat won the Soy MP ticket while former Uasin Gishu County Finance CECM CPA Julius Ruto clinched the ticket for Kesses Constituency. What's Your Reaction?
