ODM officials caught bribing voters ahead of party primaries

juma chrispinus

April 4, 2017 2:53 PM

The politicians have lashed out at recent opponents in ODM and other parties at the meetings and wooed supporters for votes in the run up to the August 8 general election.

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A top politician affiliated to Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Party has been caught bribing voters ahead of the party primaries, a day after the direct nomination tickets were handed out.

Despite the law prohibiting the menace, ODM leaders in Kwale County have vowed to dish out cash in preparation for the party primaries set for next week, April 11.

Already top politicians have hit the ground running with campaigns for the primaries that will also take place in Mombasa and Kilifi counties on that day.

Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori, governor aspirant Speaker Sammy Ruwa, senator hopeful Issah Juma and woman representative aspirant Fatuma Masito held meetings last week Thursday and Sunday in various wards to drum up support for their team.

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Speaking at a gathering of about 2,000 supporters at St Joseph Hall, the leaders are said to have allegedly given a total of Sh285,000.

“Hii safari imeanza na musitishike. Tarehe kumi na moja ikifika mwende kwenye vituo vyenu mtupigie kura. Na ninawahakikishia tutabumula watu vilivyo. Leo tutabumula na siku ya mchujo mkimaliza kupiga kura pia tutabumula watu,” Dori said.

Quick translation: “The journey has begun... don't fret. Vote for us during the nominations...we will give you money today, after the nominations and after the general election."

Dori read out the amount that each politician contributed at the gathering.

Amid applause by supporters, Juma said: “Thank you very much. I have a small amount here... only Sh25,000...accept it."

Kiraitu contributed Sh40,000 while Titus Ntuchiu, his proposed running mate for Meru governor, gave Sh20,000.

"The law does not allow us to participate in this ... because we will be barred and disqualified. But because your ministry is my neighbour you will come to tell me [how fat the house has gone] and I will come as the Meru governor," Kiraitu said.

Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi gave a Sh500,000 cash donation at a function in March.

Politicians eying any seats were barred from participating in harambees as guests from December 7 last year.

Section (64) (1d) bars aspirants and their representatives from making "any gift, loan, offer, promise procurement or agreement ... to procure the vote". It states that this amounts to the offence of bribery.

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