STATEMENT BY ENG. JOSSES LELMENGIT, EMGWEN MP ASPIRANT ON THE DECISION OF THE UDA PARTY ELECTORAL AND NOMINATION DISPUTES RESOLUTION COMMITTEE, IN RESPECT TO THE APRIL 14 NOMINATIONS
-On April 14, the people of Emgwen turned out throughout the constituency to vote in a most peacefully manner. Thereafter, the votes were counted, tallied and publicly announced at all polling stations as required by law.
However, Polling materials from 4 polling stations – Kapnyeberai, Kiropket, Mosobecho, & Tegat arrived suspiciously late at night past 3.00 am delivered by a private vehicle associated with my competitor.
Consequently, the credibility of the polling materials could not be ascertained. Accordingly, the Returning Officer nullified the results from the 4 polling stations and in agreement with all agents.
– On 15th April, credible results from the polling stations were tallied and publicly announced at the tallying center as required by law and I was declared the winner.
– On 17th April, a petition was filed at the UDA Party Electoral and Nomination Disputes Resolution Committee to challenge our nomination Victory.
– Consequently, I was summoned to appear before the Disputes Resolution Committee for a hearing at Hustler Center, Nairobi on 18th. I honored the summons and hearings were held on the 18th and 19th.
– The petition was based on the false grounds that among other things, my supporters the great people of Emgwen, and I instigated “extreme violence and police interference, and locked out many registered party members from voting.” That I, Kwombo Kipkalya, Kwombo Tolosho – instigated “extreme violence.” That accusation in itself is patently absurd.
I want to state categorically that I stand for peace and from the onset of this electioneering period, I have always advocated for peace and calm, and even used the analogy of my children – Kipkalya and Tolosho – meaning peace and calm – to preach peace in our constituency. I would never advance anything that threatens peace.
– On the 18th April, I filed my response to the petition. Attached hereby are copies of the petition and my response.
– Today, 21st April, the UDA Electoral and Nominations Dispute Resolution Committee has ordered a recount of five polling stations including the 4 nullified polling stations lacking credibility.
How such a rash decision was made deliberately without extensive examination of the matter is, indeed, incredibly startling.
The recount was ordered on the assumption that the polling materials from the 4 polling stations were credible.
Despite the fact that facts on the circumstances leading to the nullification of results from the 4 polling stations were laid bare with the Committee, no proper scrutiny, due regard to evidence or verification took place, which would otherwise have brought the Committee to the inescapable conclusion that the results were dully nullified and therefore should not have even been considered for recounting.
As a consequence, I hold a steadfast position that the will of the people is in danger of being subverted by the Committee.
The Committee owes the people of Emgwen an explanation on how such a monstrous injustice can take place.
It is now manifestly clear that had the Committee verified information supplied by the NEB, the results from the 4 polling stations with serious questionable credibility, and upon which the order to recount was made, would have been proven to be untrustworthy.
– The voters of Emgwen you spoke and your voice should be heard.
I am grateful to the thousands of you who have stepped up to support us and call out this meritless accusations over the last few days. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you all for your confidence in me.
As we seek to address this injustice, I urge my supporters and all the people of Emgwen to remain calm and trust that all shall be well. This is a true test to the strength of the party’s democratic process.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless Emgwen Constituency.
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