Accusations fly ahead Makueni’s Masumba-Nguu ward by-election

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana [Courtesy]

Ahead of tomorrow’s Nguu-Masumba ward by-election in Kibwezi West Constituency, Makueni County, opponents of the Wiper candidate are accusing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of breaching of election rules.

They allege he campaigned for his party’s candidate past 6pm on Monday contrary to IEBC rules.

Machakos County Chief of Staff Mwengi Mutuse, who leads the campaigns for Timothy Maneno, an independent candidate in the Thursday by-election says Kalonzo, who was accompanied by Musalia Mudavadi (ANC party leader), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya), Joseph Ole Lengu (Kajiado Governor), among other OKA principals campaigned up to 8pm at night under protection of police officers while other candidates were barred from accessing any market past the required period.

“It is very sad to see police officers watch as the Wiper brigade campaign at Thithi near Masimba. We want to ask IEBC to declare their stand in this election because we want credible results,” said Mutuse.

He also accused the party for what they termed as a ploy to use the provisional administration and the security apparatus in favour of the Wiper candidate.

At the same time Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana alleged a Kalonzo plot to interfere in the by-election using security apparatus.

The by-election has attracted three candidates Eshio Mwaiwa (Wiper), Timothy Maneno (Independent) and Daniel Musau of UDA.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Harris Ngui, the former MCA in a road accident at Salama on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

Maneno is supported by Governor Kivutha and Mr Mutuse while the UDA candidate enjoys support of former Machakos senator Johnston Muthama who is UDA’s national chairman.

“We didn’t see police [officers] manning our campaigns but any time Wiper brigade was around the police were more than the locals attending the rallies. We are aware that they want to use government apparatus to rig during the tomorrow mini poll. We want to hold IEBC accountable,” said Kibwana

Kibwana said Wiper officials openly boasted how they would manipulate the election in favour of their candidate.

The governor said he would file a petition with IEBC and demand a free and fair election on Thursday.

The Makueni governor dismissed calls by Kalonzo Musyoka to support his [Musyoka’s] presidential bid, saying Musyoka's time in politics was over.

Prof Kibwana said it is the Wiper leader who should support him for President where he is working with Martha Karua, Mukhisa Kituyi and Justin Muturi under the Muungano wa Wazalendo movement.

“Musyoka has outlived his political career. Instead of him asking me to support his candidature, he should automatically support me and other colleagues in our movement,’ he added

On Monday, Musyoka accompanied by fellow One Kenya Alliance principals Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Moses Wetangula were in Nguu /Masumba ward campaigning for their Eshio Mwaia.

On the other, the Makueni county UDA coordinator James Mbaluka poured cold water on the wiper leader’s influence in the region saying his time was over and he has nothing to offer to the Kamba community.