ODM’s Katana wins in Ganda Ward by-election

ODM's Reuben Katana (pictured) has won the Ganda Ward by-election in Malindi, Kilifi County.

Katana got 4,177 votes, beating his rival, an independent candidate, Abdul Omar, who garnered 2,331 votes.

Joseph Kiponda of Jubilee Party came third with 589 votes as David Mitsanze of Kadu Asili's bagged 362 votes.

The Thursday election recorded an impressive voter turnout despite heavy rains that have pounded the region over the past few days.

The vote in the heavily contested ward proceeded in relative calm, despite the violence that rocked the area on Tuesday evening, leading to the death of one man.

Ngumbao Jola, Katana's uncle, was shot dead in the fracas at the house of the elected Ganda Ward representative.

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her aide Geoffrey Otieno were arrested over the killing. She was later released Sh1 million bond with a similar surety or a cash bail of Sh500,000.

Jumwa had thrown her weight behind independent candidate Omar.

Elsewhere in Kitui County, Maendeleo Chap Chap’s Musee Mati won in the Mutonguni Ward by-election with 2,892 votes.

The election dealt a blow to Wiper Party after its candidate Stephen Kithuka came second with 2,147 votes.

Jace Kavale, an independent candidate, garnered 853 votes followed by Jubilee’s Alex Nzau who got 815 votes.