Claims of bribery, voter suppression mar Magarini by-election

Claims of voter bribery and suppression marred the Magarini by-election on Thursday, as rivals allied to the broad-based government and United Opposition exchanged accusations.

Low voter turnout was reported in all 193 polling stations across the six wards in the constituency with 80,128 votes. ODM's perceived strongholds were worst affected.

At 3PM data from Magarini Returning Officer Mr Joseph Mwafondo indicated that the turnout was 31.08 per cent, as 24,905 voters had cast their votes. 

The state agents intensified relief food supply in Chakama as voting went on in what the opposition said was another form of bribery or tactic to influence the voters.

Kilifi North MP Ken Chonga was ejected from Kanagoni Polling Station in Magarini constituency by angry youth who questioned his credentials as the ODM chief agent.

The irate crowd of youths accosted Chonga as he attempted to make his way into the polling place, claiming to be the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chief Agent.

The youths led by Hassan Salim claimed he was trying to influence voters, although the MP maintained he was checking the voting process as an ODM agent.

"We will not allow politicians from outside Magarini to influence the exercise. It is an opportunity for us to exercise our right to vote for the leader we want," said Salim.

Chonga said he was at the polling station to monitor the start of the voting exercise, as he was the chief agent of ODM. He denied claims of interfering with the voting exercise.

“I am going round monitoring the voting exercise,” Chonga said.  Kanagoni is said to be a stronghold of democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Mr Stanley Kenga.

Kenga is the main rival of ODM candidate Harrison Garama Kombe, who lost the seat after the former's successive petition against his win in the 2022 General Election.

Kenga voted at Kanagoni Polling Station in Adu ward, while Kombe cast his at Mapingo Central Primary School in Gongoni ward. Both expressed confidence of a win.

At Kaembeni polling centre the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) agent, Wanje Changamwe, claimed that he was assaulted by two ODM MPs.

"The two MPs harass me and my colleague. Their bodyguards dragged us out of the polling station and assaulted us," said Wanje, who was seeking treatment in a local clinic.

Kenga protested against alleged voter bribery and intimidation of his agents' rivals allied to the broad-based government. He said voters were also enticed with money and relief food.

Interestingly, ODM's Kombe claimed that some of his agents had betrayed him and were working with the opposition to ring him out.

"Some ODM agents are against me. I have known one of them for a very long time, and he is working with the opposition behind the scenes," said Kombe. 

Kombe also claimed that some of his agents had been blocked from accessing some polling stations in Marereni area. Marereni is perceived to Kenga's stronghold. 

Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate Mr Furaha Chengo Ngumbao claimed there was an attempt by people from outside Magarini to influence voters.

Ngumbao said there was a huge voter apathy leading to the low turnout in most polling stations attributing to hopelessness following underdevelopment.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared 10 candidates for the by-election but three stepped down later.

Mr Samuel Nzai and Hamadi Chadi Karisa announced their dropout in favour of Mr Kenga while Mr John Sulubu Masha backed Kombe who is the immediate former MP.

Other candidates scrambling for the 80,128 votes are Ms Sarah Wahito Gakahu of Kenya Moja Movement, 25-year-old Amos Katana Kalama (Independent), Emmanuel Kitsao Kalama (The We Alliance Party) and Jacob Themo Kwicha of Federal Party of Kenya.

Addressing the mistrust within the ODM Party, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo assured Kombe that the party will protect his votes from within and outside enemies.

"We will protect our votes with everything and any means possible. Liwalo naliwe, lakini kura zete tutalunda (come what may, we will protect our votes)," said Madzayo.

The senator defended Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, terming the decision by the youths to eject him from Kanagoni polling station over voter bribery as a primitive behaviour. 

"As a leader, he (Chonga) has the permission to greet voters and check on the progress of the exercise," said Madzayo.

Wiper Patriotic Front Secretary General and nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla and DCP's Mr Kenga claimed there were rigging attempts across the constituency. 

Ms Abdalla claimed a Coast female MP allied to the broad-based government was caught bribing voters at Ngomeni polling station, and money was recovered from her.

She claimed that the MP was paying a voter up to Sh2000 outside the polling stations once they showed their national identity cards. 

“She was caught with a lot of money while bribing voters outside the polling stations, and we want the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to investigate the incident,” she said. 

Kenga claimed the broad-based government agents bribed voters with food at Kibora, Shakahola and Chakama primary school polling stations within the Chakama area. 

"There was distribution of government relief food to voters in Chakama as voting went on. This election is not free and fair. We have reported the incidents to IEBC," he said.

"Two of our agents were intimidated at Kaembeni polling station. One agent had his shirt badly torn during the scuffle," he noted.

He said tension reigned for most of the day at his stronghold of Kanagoni and Marereni in Adu ward as his supporters guarded votes following an alleged rigging attempt.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro, saying the Magarini people should be allowed to choose their leader in a free and transparent manner.

Kingi who cast his vote at Kamale primary school polling station said the mini polls should not be a cause of violence and disunity of the community. 

“As a leader from Magarini, I call on leaders not to use youth to cause tension. I call on youth to desist from the temptations of being used to disrupt the voting process,” he said. 

Mung’aro on his part said that voter turnout was low but it might change as the day closes bearing in mind that by-elections are usually less attractive to voters. 

“As usual, by-elections experience low voter turnout and we are trying to mobilize voters to come out and vote,” he said. 

Human Rights Agenda chief executive officer Mr Yusuf Lule said there were claims of voter bribing, as crowds were seen outside polling stations.

Mr Lule, who spoke after visiting about 30 polling stations, also confirmed a low voter turnout, noting that by noon less than 20 percent had cast their votes.

He, however, said it was normal for by-elections to register low voter turnouts.

[Patrick Beja, Marion Kithi and Nehemiah Okwembah]