[ODM National Elections Board Chairperson Judith Pareno in a past event. She says the board nullified South Mugirango exercise due to unprecedented violence. Photo/Nation]
The ODM National Elections Board nullified the nominations exercise in South Mugirango, following an attack on a vehicle ferrying election materials to South Mugirango constituency.
Goons in the morning attacked the vehicle and made away with some of the material and destroyed the rest.
The youths who were armed with crude weapons, smashed eight ballot boxes and slightly damaged three others, forcing the convoy to seek refuge at the Suneka Administration Police Camp.
Police officers attached to the station later escorted the officials to the constituency tallying centre at Nduru Girls’ Secondary School.
Ballot papers were left scattered by the road near a polling centre in Bonchari constituency.
Judith Pareno, the Board Chair says the board will not condone violence and hooliganism during the primaries.
"The party's board will not condone any acts of hooliganism during the exercise," said Ms Pareno.
Ms Pareno said the board has launched investigations into the incident and will issue a new date for the exercise.
She said parties found responsible will be published as per the party's constitution.
"Anyone who will be found responsible for the incident will be punished in accordance with the party constitution," she said.
Meanwhile Kitutu Chache South Constituency candidates Anthony Kibagendi and Samwel Omwando traded accusations of misconduct in the polls.
Their heated exchange came after voting was temporarily suspended at St Joseph's Nyabururu after their supporters argued about the use of the IEBC register to vet voters.
"I have no problem whatsoever with the IEBC register being used. Our voters are peaceful and composed, but it is politicians who are busy causing problems by inciting voters to complain about the register," said Mr Omwando.
He accused his rival Mr Kibagendi of spending time on social media to spread rumours and propaganda about him.
“My opponent has been busy spreading malicious lies and rumours about me on social media. Let him and all those who spend all their time online come out to vote today so that the party ticket winner can be known by the end of the day,” said Mr Omwando.
Mr Kibagendi on the other hand had no kind words for his opponent, saying the party register should be the only source of voters in the exercise.
He claimed Mr Omwando’s supporters were unnecessarily delaying and blocking the queue at the venue to frustrate his supporters from voting.
He also alleged that supporters were ferried from outside the constituency to vote for Mr Omwando.
In Kitutu Chache North, Mr Ogamba Migosi and Mr Elijah Kombo traded accusations of impropriety, with each blaming the other for bribing voters and engaging in campaigns at the polling centres.
Mr Kombo vowed to reject the results of the polls, saying they had been skewed in favour of his opponent.
“My opponent has been bribing voters at the var8ious polling centres since morning. My agents have also been kicked out of several polling centres including Sombogo Tea Buying Centre and Marani Primary School,” Mr Kombo charged.
Mr Migosi on the other hand said he was satisfied with the results of the polls, saying claims by Mr Kombo were unfounded.
“Mr Kombo is making wild allegations that cannot be supported by evidence. Nobody has chased his agents, and he is just looking for an excuse to justify his impending overwhelming loss,” said Mr Migosi.
Voting was temporarily halted when Ms Carolyne Mogiti, a Kitutu Chache Central Ward aspirant, stormed the polling station to demand a stop to the voting due to the use of the IEBC register as opposed to the party members’ register.
“There is a cartel that is determined to ensure that they frustrate my political ambitions by any means necessary, including the use of the IEBC register in place of the party register,” said Ms Mogiti.