MCA loser leads supporters in protests over rigging claims

Chaos on Monday reigned at Kamuwongo market in Mwingi North, Kitui county, as an independent candidate who failed to capture the Kyuso MCA seat led his supporters in a demonstration.

The protesters claimed Muema Nduku’s win was snatched in favour of Wiper Party's John Mwinzi Munyoki.

Mwingi North returning officer Martin Malonza last Thursday declared Munyoki the winner of the MCA race with 2,940 votes. Muema was second with 2,883 votes.

On Monday, aggrieved Nduku had his supporters demonstrate in Kamuwongo market before lighting a huge bonfire on the Kyuso-Mwingi road blocking vehicular passage for over an hour.

They chanted 'haki yetu, haki yetu ya kura' and denounced IEBC for allegedly rigging Nduku out of the election.

They carried placards in praise of Nduku, with others demanding justice. 

As Nduku and his adherents were speaking to the press next to burning tyres at the Kamuwongo bridge, a police Land Cruiser pick-up arrived with armed police officers who asked the demonstrators to disperse to no avail. 

The security officers were then forced to fire tear gas canisters at the protesters who ducked and scattered before regrouping as they danced and sang praises of Nduku.

But Nduku, who was at some point carried shoulder high, managed to convince his supporters to leave the scene, leaving the police to clear the road.

Nduku said he would fight tooth and nail to ensure that his "stolen victory" is restored. He said he was proceeding to court because he had sufficient evidence to show how Mwinzi’s votes were added fraudulently to make him the winner.

But Mwinzi, who spoke on the phone, asked Nduku to respect the decision of the people of Kyuso to elect him as their MCA. He said instead of confusing the locals through demonstrations, Nduku should seek court redress.

“I would like to clarify that my win was straight forward. It is the people who voted and even before I was announced the winner, I had done my tabulation which tied to the votes that IEBC declared I had garnered,” he said.

Edited by EKibii