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Polls Marred By Chaos And Court Orders

The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
January 20, 2005
Posted to the web January 19, 2005

By Nation Team
Nairobi
Kanu elections in several branches countrywide were thrown into disarray by
boycotts or court orders stopping the polls.
In Kisii and Gucha districts, a group led by former Kisii mayor Samuel
Nyangweso successfully obtained orders from a Kisii court halting the exercise
in Kitutu Chache, South Mugirango, Bobasi and Bomachoge branches.
The group argued that party election rules were flouted in the locational and
sub-locational elections held earlier.
In Bomet District, a court yesterday dismissed an application seeking to stop
delegates from Sigor sub-location from participating in the Chepalungu branch
elections.
Mr Samuel Rono through lawyer Nelson Kenduywa claimed that Mr Zakayo Kilel, who
was elected sub-locational chairman, was a Liberal Democratic Party member and
should not have vied for any post during the Kanu elections. Mr Kilel, however
produced a Kanu life membership card before the court.
Elections for Molo sub-branch were yesterday temporarily halted after presiding
officers threatened to boycott the exercise over payment.
In the 40-minute standoff, the officials were demanding Sh20,000 before the
elections could start.
Mr Nicholas Biwott's camp yesterday won all the seats in the Kerugoya-Kutus
branch elections in Kirinyaga District.
Mr Uhuru Kenyatta's faction boycotted the elections, citing massive
irregularities.
And in a rare move, two rival Kanu camps yesterday agreed to share seats in
Machakos.
The two groups were at first locked in a standoff after they held separate
elections on Monday.
After a four-hour meeting, they agreed that former Machakos mayor Donald Mutua,
who is in the Kenyatta camp, take over as chairman. Mr Biwott's man, Mr Jones
Nzau, settled for vice-chairman.

   

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