The Jubilee candidate in the Narok Town ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) by-election, Joshua Ole Kaputa has raised concerns over alleged voter-bribery urging authorities to ensure that those involved are brought to book.
Speaking during a press briefing shortly after casting his vote at Olooltotoo primary school, Kaputa condemned the act saying that it is a threat to the integrity of the electoral process and therefore, voters ought to be given a chance to elect the leader they preferred for the position.
“It is quite unfortunate that someone is dishing out money to voters before getting into a polling station. I urge voters not to be swayed by such actions but instead stick to the business of the day and vote for their preferred leader,” he urged.
So far, Kaputa said he had already pointed out on two polling stations where the alleged voter-bribery was taking place and asked the concerned security and electoral agencies to take action promptly.
Meanwhile, voters in the ward expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying that the process began on time and was running on smoothly.
At Masikonde secondary school, a voter, Anthony Torome lauded the effort by the IEBC officials at the polling stations who began operating at 5 am and had attended many voters.
They said those experiencing hitches in the voting process have been assisted effectively and thus the queues are moving fast.
“I was here by 5 am when the doors were opened for the voters to vote. And so far, I’m glad that the queues are moving fast and therefore IEBC are likely to serve more people before the voting time comes to a close,” said Torome.
He urged those yet to vote to come out and exercise their constitutional right which will give them an opportunity to elect the MCA of their choice.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Lucas Kudate and has attracted 12 candidates among them his son, Kanyinge Kudate, who is vying under the United Democratic Alliance party (UDA), Douglas Masikonde of Democracy for Citizens Party (DAP), Alfred Pere of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) among others.
