Opposition accuses Gov't of plot to rig Magarini by-election

The United Opposition brigade, which pitched camp in Magarini Constituency, Kilifi County, on Tuesday to campaign for its DCP candidate Stanley Kenga, is now claiming that the government is planning to rig the upcoming by-elections.

The United Opposition leaders, captained by the Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, alleged a plot to steal votes in the upcoming by-elections.

“Mchunge kura zenu. Hao watu wamesema wataiba kura. Na wale ambao wako kwa broad-based government, hiyo serikali ya kukula mkate, nyinyi mmefikiwa na hiyo mkate?” Shakila Abdala, Wiper Secretary General, posed.

DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa on his part said: “Uchaguzi wenu mdogo mbunge wenu hajakufa, mbunge wenu hajakufa, ni wizi wa kura ulifanyika.”

The leaders said they will use the by-election to build a storm which they hope will sweep President William Ruto from office in 2027.

“Sababu ya kusema wantam ni kwa sababu ameonyesha uongozi dhaifu. Vijana hawana kazi. Ikiwa ni kuwaajiri kuwa polisi, mtashangaa hapa Magarini pengine moja ama wawili. Wengine wanachukuliwa ikulu,” Kalonzo noted.

This comes as the ODM party and the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) joined forces to campaign for the ODM candidate, Harrison Kombe, promising to retain the seat they lost after a court ruling.

With the ODM party storming the constituency in a vote-hunting mission for Kombe, the Senate speaker, Amason Kingi and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro led the charge to woo support for the ODM candidate in the upcoming polls.

“Ninachoomba ni kwamba tayari tumecheleweshwa, tayari tumedhulumiwa kama tumedhulumiwa huu mwaka moja na nusu uliobaki, wacheni nikamilishe kile ambacho nimekipanga kwa miaka mitano,” said Kombe.

Mung’aro on his part said, “Tunasema hapa Mambrui kura ni ya Harry Kombe. Sisi tunashirikiana, tulikaa mkutano na rais, spika anajua na mambo yote tukakubaliana.”

Kingi added, “Tujiuliza wakazi tutafanya vipi tarehe 27 zile changamoto wamezungumza hapa zimepata.”

The broad-based leaders expressed confidence of retaining the seat which they lost after a fierce court battle that ended with a decision against them last year.

This comes as the opposition brigade also invaded the constituency, rallying support for the DCP candidate Stanley Karissa Kenga, as the deadline for the campaigns draws near.