Jubilee loser wins Kajiado Central ODM nominations

Elijah Memusi ole Kanchori (left) celebrates after he was announced winner of Kajiado Central ODM nominations. With him is party Secretary General Ababu Namwamba.

Days after decamping from the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) protesting the outcome of its primaries, Elijah Memusi ole Kanchori won the Kajiado Central ODM nominations.

Kanchori won with 9,523 votes in results declared on Wednesday night by ODM National Election Board (NEB) at the Maasai Technical Training Institute.

His closest rival Silau Ololasha Paita garnered 1,497 votes while Simon Peter ole Nkeri came a distant third with 556 votes. Naomi Kipury managed 367 votes while Paul Ole Kaika came last with 288 votes.

Last week on Tuesday, Kanchori ditched President Uhuru Kenyatta's party and joined ODM after losing the primaries to Patrick Tutui. He will will now face Tutui during the March 16 by-elections. Memusi and Tutui are from the dominant Matapato clan but from different sub-clans.

The seat fell vacant after Rtd General Joseph Nkaissery was appointed Interior Cabinet Secretary.

The ODM's primaries held in 50 polling stations across the constituency were alleged to have been marred by irregularities and confusion due to lack of ballot papers in various poling centres.

Police rescued a man from a mob after he was allegedly found with more than 100 ballot papers at Ilbisel Primary School.

The aspirants, among them Peter ole Nkere, Olerasha Paita and Samson ole Kaika complained of a low turnout of voters despite many polling stations opening as early as 7am. Paita accused the election board of favouring Kanchori.

The exercise was conducted by the ODM NEB led by Secretary General Ababu Namwamba. Briefing the Press at Maasai Technical Training Institute, Namwamba denied that the exercise was a flop. He said everything went on as planned and that the Orange party will leave a mark in Kajiado.

"We want to tell the prophets of doom who are waiting to see us fail that they stand to be ashamed," he said.

He also urged Nkaissery to keep off Kajiado politics as he is now a senior public servant.