The Linda Mwananchi movement has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the government of orchestrating plans to delay the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election through alleged violence and intimidation.
In a statement, Linda Mwananchi claimed that recent remarks and actions by the electoral commission were intended to pave the way for postponing the poll.
The movement further alleged that the government had mobilized plainclothes police officers and hired goons from Kiambu, Murang’a and Nakuru counties to disrupt its campaign activities in Ol Kalou. According to the statement, the alleged plan was to provoke clashes with the Linda Mwananchi convoy, which would then be used to justify declaring the area insecure and postponing the election.
To avoid what it described as a planned provocation, Linda Mwananchi announced it would suspend its planned tour of Ol Kalou and instead hold campaign engagements in neighboring Nyahururu.
The movement said it believes the people of Ol Kalou want the by-election to proceed as scheduled and urged voters to reject electoral bribery.
Quoting Kenya’s independence hero Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, the group called on residents to defend their democratic rights, saying, “It is better to die while standing than to live on your knees.”
Linda Mwananchi also alleged that voter bribery was taking place in the constituency, drawing parallels with past elections during the KANU era, and expressed confidence that voters would make independent decisions at the ballot.
The IEBC and the government had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
The commission has threatened to postpone the polls over claims of bribery and violence. This follows rise of such incidents in the ongoing campaigns ahead of next week’s mini polls.
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