Fernandes Barasa decries voter bribery, low turnout in Kakamega polls

The ODM candidate in the Kakamega governor race Fernandez Barasa has decried low voter turnout and alleged voter bribery in the exercise.

Barasa cast his vote at Bulimbo Primary School in Matungu constituency Monday morning amid very low turnout.

He decried what he termed as rampant voter bribery which he alleges was being perpetrated by his opponents.

"I have inspected various polling centers in Matungu and there is a lot of voter bribery which in my opinion is an election offence and I want to urge IEBC and all the security agencies to make sure they take action so that people can vote freely without intimidation,” Barasa said.

He said he had evidence and his team has already reported to the concerned authorities and are waiting for them to take necessary action against those dishing out money to voters.

He said the low voter turnout was typical of any by-election.

Barasa, however, called on the people of Kakamega to come out and exercise their democratic right by choosing the leader they want.

The Kakamega governor elections were postponed alongside that of Kakamega in what IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said was due to harassment and profiling of IEBC staff.

The race to succeed governor Wycliffe Oparanya has attracted seven candidates.

They are Cleophas Malala (ANC), Fernandez Barasa (ODM), Cyrus Jirongo (UDP), Suleiman Sumba (Kanu), Samuel Omukoko (Maendeleo Democratic Party), Michael Osundwa and Austine Opitso (Independent).