United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in Machakos by-election has distanced himself from voter bribery claims as voters go to the polls to pick their next senator.
Urbanus Ngengele, whose party is linked to William Ruto, said he believed he had done enough during the campaign period and does not need to bribe voters.
“I did my campaigns well and I do not need to bribe voters. My lawyers are working where some of my supporters have been arrested,” Ngengele said.
The battle for the Machakos senatorial seat is between Agnes Kavindu of Wiper party and Ngengele following the withdrawal from the race of Maendeleo Chap Chap candidate 2 days from election day.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader, said he wanted to ensure United Democratic Party’s (UDA) candidate is completely locked out of the contest.
“…In this regard, so as to ensure that the National Unity Agenda succeeds and that detractors such as UDA, do not get an opportunity to roll back the achievements so far, we have decided to withdrew our candidate,” read a statement from Maendeleo Chapa Chap party.
The by-election is a do-or-die for Wiper party leader kalonzo Musyoka to stamp his authority as the Ukamabani region political kingpin.
It is also a chance for former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, UDA point man in Ukambani, to challenge Kalonzo’s influence in the region ahead of the 2022 General Election.
William Ruto also has a chance to test the waters in Ukambani through his UDA party, formed less than 4 months ago.
Wiper’s candidate has been strongly supported by most major parties including Raila’s ODM, Amani National Congress, Ford-K as well as KANU. She is considered the frontrunner.
She cast her vote at Kathome polling center, accompanied by Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti.
Interestingly though, the Wiper candidate still claims to be the wife of Johnstone Muthama although Muthama said the two parted ways.