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All ready for elections in Shinyalu and Bomachoge
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 26 August 2009 19:24
Shinyalu returning officer Silvanus Ndemo Nyamora said his officers were ready to conduct the poll.“We have everything on stand-by, including ballot papers and other materials, and we are just waiting to kick off the exercise tomorrow (Friday),” he said.
The tallying of votes will be conducted at Lirhanda Girls’ Secondary School. Kakamega police chief John Mwinzi said security had been beefed up in the constituency. Regular and Administration police officers are to be deployed at polling centres to ensure that voting took place peacefully.
In Bomachoge, district coordinator James Moseti said all logistics have been put in places. Returning officer Thomas Ingolo said the commission was putting the final touches to ensure that everything went smoothly. “This is going to be a credible election,” he assured the public.
Mr Joseph Ayatta, an official from the commission’s human resources department, said the 86 presiding officers of Shinyalu and Bomachoge had been swapped and are expected to report to their new stations this (Thursday) evening. “We will make sure that they are not exposed to aspirants, who may try to compromise them. We also decided to post clerks away from their home stations, where they are well known, for the same reason,” he said.
IIEC commissioner Winnie Waceke said the officers have been trained adequately and were well versed with the electoral code of conduct. “We expect them to exhibit professionalism while in the field,” she said. And just a day to the elections, political parties intensified their campaigns to secure the coveted seats.
Among the front runners for the seat are PNU’s Joel Onyancha, ODM’s Simon Ogari, and Ford People’s Albert Nyaundi. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said the new unity in the Coalition Government was aimed at ensuring that the government fulfils its election promises.
Election promises
He said members of the government had resolved to put their differences aside and work for the sake of development. The VP was speaking at Kenyenya in Bomachoge during a campaign rally for PNU’s Joel Onyancha.
He was accompanied by Cabinet minister Sam Ongeri and Trade assistant minister Nderitu Muriithi. MPs Johnstone Muthama, Wilfred Ombui, Walter Nyambati, Philip Kaloki, Jeremiah Kioni, and George Nyamweya also attended.
Prof Ongeri urged the residents to turn out in large numbers to vote. “This is the first test for the IIEC. We want to see fairness in all areas,” said Mr Nyamweya. Mr Onyancha said he was optimistic of winning back the seat, which he lost after a petition was decided against his election in 2007.
“Turn up in large numbers and confirm to the world that I won the election fairly,” he told his constituents. Mr Nyambati of the National Labour Party said all MPs in Gusii had resolved to work together for the good of their community.
