By Junet Mohammed
I join other leaders to congratulate the people of Malindi Constituency for reaffirming their steadfast support for the ODM Party and party Leader Raila Odinga by electing Willy Baraka Mtengo as their new Member of Parliament in the fiercely contested by-election.
I wish to thank all leaders who gave their moral and material support in making sure ODM retained the seat. Special gratitude to ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor H.E. Ali Hassan Joho, Kilifi Governor H.E. Amason Kingi, Mps Hon. Aisha Jumwa, Hon. Mishi Mboko, Hon Bezimba, Hon. Abdulswamad for reminding Jubilee that the people of the Coastal region are in ODM to stay. Despite being out of the country due to my father’s illness, I keenly followed the events.
Despite the win, it has come with its own fair share of repercussions from competitors who do not believe in competitive politics. Even after the wanton misuse of public resources and security agencies contrary to our election laws, the Jubilee government has the audacity of intimidating leaders who stood on the right side of history by withdrawing their security officers.
This intimidation is meant to derail the fast rising star of Governor Ali Hassan Joho whom most Muslims are looking at for political direction. As the ODM Deputy Party Leader, Governor Joho has exemplified that he’s not only second in number but commands respect within the rank and file of party faithfuls across the country.
Jubilee government and it’s lapdog the defunct Provincial Administration should be reminded in no uncertain terms that Kenya transited on 27 August 2010. That’s a reality they have no choice but to accept.
Lastly, IEBC needs serious soul searching. From the by-election, one can conclude that the IEBC is either complacent or unable to oversee free and fair campaigns and ultimately the elections. It’s time it exercised impartiality by investigating the plethora of electoral malpractices attributable to Jubilee and and take the necessary remedial action.
