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All set for Thursdays Kamukunji by-election

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 18 – The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) has said all is set for Thursday’s Kamukunji by-election.

The Returning Officer Joseph Masindet said ballot boxes were set to arrive at all the 23 polling centres by Wednesday evening.

He said voters would be identified through a biometric system to minimise cases of cheating.

“We have four clerks. The first clerk makes sure that person is identified through the biometric data by putting the left fingerprint on to a fingerprint reader. Once he does this, the computer should be able to pick him immediately and identify him, after which he will be allowed to vote,” he explained.

Speaking to Capital News at the YMCA tallying centre, Mr Masindet further pointed out that security had been beefed up in the centres to quell any disturbances.

“Ideally, we have the whole of today (Wednesday) to make sure that ballot boxes reach there. We want the electoral officials to reach there as early as possible before dark so that they can prepare themselves and they will spend the night there and wait for 6am when the stations open,” he stated.

He encouraged Kamukunji residents to exercise their democratic right to vote by coming out in large numbers for the exercise.

“This is the best opportunity for Kamukunji in a long time. They need to make the most of this. Get out very early, vote as early as possible and exercise your democratic right… it is a golden opportunity,” he pointed out.

The hunt for votes in Kamukunji constituency reached its peak on Tuesday as aspirants struggled to garner votes before the campaign period came to an end.

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There are 128,526 voters registered in the constituency with eight candidates battling for their support.

The Orange Democratic Movement hopes to assert its supremacy in Nairobi politics by repeating its victory at City Hall in Kamukunji, while the Party of National Unity is desperate to recapture the seat left vacant after the nullification of Simon Mbugua’s election in a petition.

The petitioner, Ahmed Ibrahim alias Johnnie, is the ODM’s candidate, while PNU is backing former United Nation’s employee Yusuf Hassan.

Narc-K is backing child rights advocate Brian Weke, while the Grand National Union party of Kenya flag bearer is Muthoni Kihara.

Other contenders are; James Matagaro (Kenya Social Congress), David Waihiga (Agano), Geoffrey Mutuku (TIP) and Daniel Omao (Ford People).

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