www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]

Candidates in Kisii Hold Hostage Ford People Nomination Team

  • Print
Details
Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 06:13

Two Ford People poll chiefs were yesterday accosted by dissatisfied parliamentary and civic candidates for allegedly abetting irregularities. Mr George Mwicigi, the Nyanza regional coordinator and his assistant, Mr Titus Asiago, fled from the enraged politicians after being held hostage for several hours. The candidates and their supporters were demanding results and certificates.

"You were sent here to rig popular candidates out in favour of weaker ones," one of the protesters told them. A returning officer for South Mugirango was among the victims of the protests. At the time, results showed that Mr Reuben Oyondi, who is the party's national vice-chairman, was trailing Mr Omingo Magara with a margin of 5,000 votes.

In Kitutu Masaba, businessman Nyang'au Okioma won the Ford People ticket after trouncing opponents Walter Nyambati, Timothy Bosire, Matata Nyakega and Charles Omwenga. The nominations were marred by massive rigging which saw school children vote and people being ferried from one centre to the other.

In Bomachoge, the results remained unknown after officials were allegedly kidnapped. However, former MP Zephania Nyangwara claimed that the officials had delayed to release the results with the aim of interfering with them. He threatened to defect to an unnamed party if the initial results where he claimed he was leading were not announced.

In Nyamira, the former Town Council chairman, Mr David Nyandiko, and Mr Thomas Maore were injured when fracas erupted during Ford People nominations in West Mugirango.