“I had some that some candidates were assembling voters in the wards and dishing out money at night to win support,” the candidate who voted at Mlechi primary school told the press in Wundanyi town.
The only female candidate, Getrude Mwakio of the United Green Movement party, said the voting process was peacefully devoid of chaos.
“This is the only seat that was occupied by a woman and I am banking on them to voter for me to continue with the work done by the former MCA the late Beatrice Mwabili who died of cancer in March this year,” noted Mwakio.
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Msambweni constituents are voting in Kenya s first Covid-era parliamentary election.
Consequently, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced safety rules to avert the spread of Covid-19 during voting.
“Voters, candidates and agents are urged to maintain order at the polling station and to avoid wearing or carrying campaign materials and to avoid campaigning while on the queue,” the polling body said on Tuesday morning, adding that the exercise started at 6 am.
The voter identification process which involves biometrically scanning the fingerprints has been secured by the introduction of hand sanitisers. The commission is also taking body temperatures as required by the Ministry of Health protocols. The IEBC tweeted:
Gov. Mvurya faces Joho in coastal political duel, who will win?
After a two-month gruelling campaign season in Kwale’s Msambweni Sub-county, the candidates yesterday remained indoors, meeting small groups of delegates ahead of tomorrow’s by-election.
On Saturday governors Hassan Ali Joho (Mombasa) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale) made their final call to the voters, expressing their significant attachment to the contest set for today.
“It is up to you to decide whether Kwale will continue to be seen as a sub-county of another county (Mombasa),” Mr Mvurya said in his closing remarks at Mvindeni area of Ukunda Ward.
He said he had, over the years, persevered insults and intimidation from leaders from a “neighbouring county” and called on Msambweni voters to support his candidate in the vote.
Kenya: It Is All Systems Go for Msambweni Mini Poll allafrica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from allafrica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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IEBC staff put final touches on ballot boxes ahead of the Msambweni by-election on December 15, 2020. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]
Today’s by-election in Msambweni, Kwale County, will likely put to test the political might of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga on one side against that of Deputy President William Ruto on the other.
Raila has held the constituency in his grip since 2007, and is backing Omar Boga of ODM. The constituency of more than 69,000 voters is set to elect an MP following the death of Suleiman Dori eight months ago.
Uhuru’s Jubilee party did not field a candidate in respect to the spirit of the Handshake, which has been perceived as a silent backing of the ODM candidate.