As Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago looks set to be announced as the winner of the just concluded Uasin Gishu UDA senatorial nominations, his closest competitor lawyer Kipchumba Karori is crying foul.
Karori claims Mandago used his county staff as election officials, and others allegedly stuffed ballot boxes in his favor, together with intimidation of his agents.
Addressing the press at Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret town, the youthful lawyer said he will be seeking a repeat of the nomination for the Senate seat.
“We have documented 54 polling stations where voter manipulation took place. 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,” Karori said.
According to the lawyer, Mandago’s vote tally was irregularly added in his favor, giving him an edge in the race.
So far, there has been no official communication from the County Returning Officer concerning the progress of the tallying of votes for the Senate seat.
Kipchumba Karori notes that 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.
But even as he seeks justice through the established UDA party structures, Karori has asked his supporters to remain calm and peaceful.
“We will not accept results from manipulated polling stations. We know how to fight it. We have to repeat the polls and get it right,” he insisted.
“My supporters be calm, we know where we’re taking the battle,” added Karori.
Mandago has not yet commended on the allegations.
Delays in the release of nomination results have been witnessed in a number of Constituencies tallying centers with only Soy, Kapseret and Kesses result having been released.
Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat bagged the UDA ticket for Soy MP, Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and former Uasin Gishu County Assembly Finance Executive clinched the Kesses ticket.
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