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2017 KENYA ELECTIONS

Who will laugh last in Meru? All set for Tuesday

Kiraitu and Munya’s posters side by side/MOSES MUOKI

MERU, Kenya, Aug 7- All is set in Meru County ahead of Tuesday’s General Election.

It is at the slopes of Mount Kenya that a tough political battle between two sons of the land who want to be elected as the next county chief has ensued.

It is a two horse race between the incumbent Governor Peter Munya of Party of National Unity and the current Senator Kiraitu Murungi of the ruling Jubilee Party.

Meru County Returning Officer Macharia Gichihi says electoral materials have already been distributed at the county’s nine constituencies ahead of distribution to the 1,477 polling stations on Monday.

“We are 100 percent ready for the polls,” Gichihi told journalists on Sunday.

“We have trained our poll officials and are set to go. On Monday we only give them respective materials to proceed to the polling stations. They are ready for the big day.”

He has assured that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will carry out a credible election for all elective positions.

“We are looking forward for a very credible election, not only for the people of Meru but the entire country at large,” he stated.

Materials for the election have been dispatched across the country/MOSES MUOKI

Meru County has 702,480 registered voters, a perceived Jubilee stronghold, with the turn out expected to be high according to local pundits.

The county has nine constituencies.

This is a breakdown of the registered votes; Buuri 76,033, Central Imenti 70,124, South Imenti 107, 414, Igembe South 68,166, Igembe Central 83,912, Igembe North 67,350, Tigania East 64,350, Tigania West 64,114, Tigania East 75, 920 and North Imenti with 89,447.

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In the race for Senator, the main competition is between MP Mithika Linturi of Jubilee and Party of National Unity Mugambi Imanyara.

Residents who spoke to Capital FM News say they are ready for the day so that “our voices can be heard” but says “we are praying for the voting period to be peaceful.”

“We pray for peace during and after the elections,” Peter Muriuki, a resident of the county said.

“There will be Kenya after the elections. Peace is all what we want.”

Meru County Returning Officer Macharia Gichihi says electoral materials have already been distributed at the county’s nine constituencies/MOSES MUOKI

Just like in all other parts of the country, the locals want the outcome of the polls to reflect their will.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has pleaded with the IEBC staff to remain impartial during the elections.

Speaking at a special prayer session for the IEBC staff held at the Bomas of Kenya, he warned them not fall into the temptation to compromise the electoral process.

“Keep off the small little things, the temptations of life. Why should you lose your soul because you want to help somebody from your clan? Why should you lose your soul because you want to benefit some material things of the world,” Chebukati added.

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