Residents confront politicians over suspected voter bribery in by-elections
The by-election in Magarini is being conducted under tight security, with police deployed to polling stations to maintain order and prevent disruptions.
Residents in several constituencies showed heightened vigilance during Thursday’s by-elections, confronting political figures over suspected attempts to influence voters.
In Mumbuni North, Machakos county, former Ward MCA Paul Museku was reportedly attacked shortly after arriving at Mung’ala Polling Station, with locals alleging he tried to sway voters in favour of his preferred candidate.
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Police intervened quickly and rescued him from the crowd, escorting him to safety.
Similarly, in Magarini Constituency, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga was chased away by residents amid suspicions he was planning to bribe constituents to support a specific candidate.
The confrontation occurred at a local polling station in Kanagoni.
Witnesses said Chonga arrived at the polling centre purportedly to observe voting activities but was confronted by residents who claimed he did not have the proper authority to be present.
The by-election in Magarini is being conducted under tight security, with police deployed to polling stations to maintain order and prevent disruptions.
The Magarini by-election also saw ODM candidate Harrison Kombe raise concerns after some of his polling agents were reportedly barred from entering several polling stations, which he said disrupted the start of an otherwise peaceful voting process.
Speaking at Mjanaheri Primary School, Kombe insisted that all party agents, including his own, be allowed inside polling rooms.
“Party agents who are also compromised, and I’m not ready for that. I want a fair game, a fair game. My agents must be in the room throughout. That is it,” he said, adding that there was sufficient space for multiple agents from each party. Kombe urged residents to turn out and exercise their voting rights.
"We can have even four agents in the room. Let them bring two agents for the party, and my two agents to be also inside there,” said Kombe.
The Magarini parliamentary seat fell vacant after the High Court nullified the 2022 general election results due to irregularities, prompting the IEBC to call for a fresh by-election.
The constituency has 80,128 registered voters, all under the close supervision of security personnel to maintain a safe and orderly voting environment.
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