Kwale ODM primaries marred by delays, low turnout

ODM primaries for Msambweni parliamentary and ward representatives started on Monday, however, the exercise was marred with delays and low voter turnout.

Voting was scheduled to commence at 6am but by 8am, most of the polling stations had not begun any activity and appeared deserted.

ODM officials had not reported and voting materials were not ready by then.

Majority of the people were left stranded as they expressed their disappointment.

Iddi Saidi from Mwamambi is one of the residents who woke up early for the exercise but was shocked to find that no staff had arrived.

Only a few agents of various aspirants and residents were seen seated on pavements and verandas.

Saidi said he doesn't understand why the party would delay on such an important exercise.

"People somewhere are up to something sinister. We came by 6am as it was communicated but nothing is happening," he said.

Saidi said ODM should be transparent and conduct free and fair primaries and any secrecy would lead to voter apathy and jeopardise the entire process.

"They are telling us they don't have enough fuel for their vehicles, why didn't they plan for that," he said.

Another resident, Quinter Emily Akinyi from Gombato Bongwe ward,  expressed fears that she might miss the opportunity to vote.

Akinyi said she woke up early hoping  she can cast her vote and go to work.

Msambweni parliamentary aspirant Sheikh Mahmoud Abdulrahman also complained of the delays.

Abdulrahman said appropriate action must be taken by ODM to uphold the constitutional rights of the voters.

He said a big number of residents went back home after getting tired of waiting. Some aspirants also complained of missing  their names in the ODM register.

Other polling stations that experienced delays were Mwakigwena, Tiwi primary and Mvindeni.

Kwale ODM organising secretary James Nyakiti admitted that the exercise had setbacks but they are working to resolve them.

He said the voting materials took longer to be dispatched to their stations because of distance and security.

"The drivers were late because we kept the equipment in Mombasa and it had to be transported here," he said.

He urged aspirants and residents to be calm, assured them that fairness will prevail and everyone will vote.

There are more than 15 polling stations in the wards of Gombato/Bongwe, Ukunda, Kinondo, Ramisi, Tsimba Golini and Pongwe/Kikoneni.

The main tallying centre will be at the Msambweni DCC office.

At least four ODM Msambweni parliamentary hopefuls will be contesting for the party ticket.

They include Sharlet Akinyi, Abdulrahman, Charles Bilali, Ali  and Mwakulonda.

Nyakiti, said one aspirant Bashir Kilalo withdrew from the primaries but communicated late, so his name my still appear in the list of hopefuls.

The party had already given direct nomination tickets to Hamadi Boga  for the governor seat, Senator Issa Boi for senate, Hassan Mwanyoha (Matuga MP) and Zuleikha Juma(Kinago MP). 

Lunga Lunga is yet to be decided after reports that Omar Mbwana Zonga has decamped from ODM leaving Mrabu Tsuma as the only aspirant for the party ticket.

The ODM is using electronic gadgets for the primaries.

According to Nyakiti there are more than 100,000 ODM registered members in Kwale.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)