Mutava defeated Geoffrey Kinga’ng’i by 9,965 votes against 5,512. But King’ang’i claimed the exercise was not free and fair, citing various malpractices.
He alleged that the list of the registered voters, which was used during the nomination, was fake, while some of the registered members were thrown out and denied a chance to vote for their preferred candidates.
Less materials
He said in some polling stations, less ballot papers totalling to about 100 were distributed whereas the number of registered voters in such stations was as high as 3,000, claiming that was a ploy to rig the nominations in favour of Musyimi.
“The democratic rights of the people of Mbeere South have been taken away from them. We will not relent until the voices of the people of Mbeere are heard and respected,” said King’ang’i.
He said the polling stations in the Gachoka region where he enjoys massive support were closed by police officers by 5pm who also allegedly locked up his agents the whole night when tallying was going on.
“In Mwea region where Musyimi enjoys a larger support, the polling stations were open long into the night. It is unfortunate that Mutava was handed the nomination certificate while still some ballot papers were in a vehicle still not counted,” further claimed King’ang’i.
On Friday morning, his supporters stormed out of the main tallying centre at Rwika Technical Training Institute and held a protest along Embu-Kiritiri Road after it emerged Musyimi had won the ticket.
At the time of going to press, King’ang’i said he was in a meeting with his secretariat to decide on the next course of action.
TNA Embu County Chairman Jamal Runyenje said the party held free and fair nominations in the area and any aggrieved persons should lodge complaint to the County Nominations Board or the TNA National Nominations Board as soon as possible.
He said King’ang’i had not informed him about his discontent.
By Joseph Muchiri, The Standard
