The Kibra by-election preparations are being finalized and it’s touch and go for the long awaited process on Thursday. Agents from political parties and independent candidates witnessed the unsealing of the ballot papers pallets at the tallying centre at Nairobi City County Inspectorate College, after the papers were availed.
The by-election not only brings together different aspirants looking to take hold of one of the most influential constituencies in Nairobi, but it’s also seen as a tussle pitting Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, with Jubilee fielding McDonald Mariga and ODM being represented by Imran Okoth, the late Ken Okoth’s brother.
However, other parties have candidates who are seeking to upset the odds, with ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi leading the charge and banking on their nous and underdog status to prevail. The constituency has 118,658 voters, in its 5 wards-Sang’ombe, Woodley/Kenyatta Golf Course, Lindi, Makina and Laini Saba. There are 183 polling stations which will be opened at 6:00 am and and closed at 5:00 pm, and 24 nominated candidates seeking the coveted seat.
Moreoevr, the High Court has directed the IEBC to avail the voters’ register to ODM with the full voters’ ID. ODM had gone to court, and sued IEBC after they claimed the electoral commisison had provided an incomplete voter register. However, IEBC asked for ten days, citing that the election tools have already been supplied as the by-election is hours away.