Gitura, Kang’ata clash in church over Jubilee nominations

Senator Kembi Gitura address journalists outside St Joseph The Worker Mumbi Catholic Church in Murang'a town on April 30, 2017. He rejected the results that declared Kiharu MP Irungu Kang'ata as the winner of Jubilee ticket for the seat. PHOTO | GRACE GITAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Mr Kang'ata clinched the Jubilee Party ticket in the senate race after garnering 158,167 votes against Mr Gitura's 146,207 votes.
• In his petition the senator said that his rival had exploited a loophole where voters whose names were missing in the register were allowed to vote.
• Mr Kang'ata was served with the petition immediately after the service at St Joseph The Worker Mumbi Catholic Church in Murang'a town.

By GRACE GITAU
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Senator Kembi Gitura and his rival Irungu Kang'ata on Sunday clashed in church over the outcome of the Jubilee nominations.

The leaders exchanged harsh words over rigging claims and credibility of the nominations as the faithful watched.

Mr Gitura claimed that the Kiharu MP had rigged in the primaries and was illegally declared the winner.

Mr Kang'ata clinched the Jubilee Party ticket in the senate race after garnering 158,167 votes against Mr Gitura's 146,207 votes.

Rejecting these results, the Senate Deputy Speaker petitioned the party to conduct fresh elections in Mathioya and Kiharu constituencies.

LOOPHOLE

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Mr Gitura said he was cautious of the timelines despite Sunday being the last day for parties to conduct nominations for submission of the candidates’ list on May 1 to the electoral body.

In his petition the senator said that his rival had exploited a loophole where voters whose names were missing in the register were allowed to vote.

“Several people used the loophole to vote at more than one polling station,” he said.

The senator said his fight against corruption in the county government had cost him as his rivals plotted his exit noting that opinion polls had shown that he was the preferred candidate.

“May be it is my crusade against corruption that got me where I am but whether you vote me in as your senator or not I will detest corruption with my whole being,” he noted.
PETITION

In a quick rejoinder Mr Kang'ata denied the allegations saying he does not have the resources to ferry voters.

“I urge the party to dismiss that appeal and uphold my win. Surely, in a county where you are dealing with thousands of people, how many will you ferry to tilt an election,” he posed.

Mr Kang'ata was served with the petition immediately after the service at St Joseph The Worker Mumbi Catholic Church in Murang'a town.

The incumbent claimed that he had won in 22 wards but Mr Kang'ata countered this statement saying he had won in four constituencies fairly.

“It was a matter of development record and what I have done as the MP for Kiharu compared to what he had done when he was their MP,” he said.

Mr Gitura who had served as an MP for Kiharu for 10 years dismissed reports of a possible alliance between him and Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau who lost to Governor Mwangi Wa Iria.

“If the party does not act on my petition, I will consult on the next move. But I will not allow some influential people to dictate what happens in Murang'a,” he said.