Former Chief Administrative Secretary Gideon Maitha Mung’aro was early Saturday declared the duly elected governor of Kilifi County as the Orange Democratic Movement scooped most political positions in the contest.
Mung’aro garnered 143,773 votes to secure victory against Malindi Member of the National Assembly Aisha Jumwa Karisa Katana (UDA), who polled 68,893 votes in the August 9, 2022 elections that were marred by a low voter turn-out.
Lawyer George Kithi of the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) got 64,326 votes but he has since rejected the results claiming that the exercise was riddled with secrecy that compromised the integrity of the outcome. He said earlier that he would seek redress in court.
Others in the race were Kenyan Italian Franco Kasosobaya Esposito (Independent), who got 2,709, former Magarini Member of Parliament David Noti Kombe of the Umoja Summit Party (USP), who received 2,574 votes and Mombasa businessman Alphonce Dzombo Mbaru of Safina (1,594).
Mr. Michael Tinga of Ford Kenya, who withdrew from the race in favour of Mr. Kithi a few days to the General Election, got 2,884 votes.
Kilifi County IEBC Returning Officer Hussein Gurre also declared Ms Gertrude Mbeyu of ODM duly elected as the county’s Woman Member of the National Assembly after she amassed 111,039, beating PAA’s Nominated Senator Christine Zawadi Fondo, who came closely with 89,413 votes.
Others in the race were Juliet Riziki Baya of the United Democratic Party (49,111), Mary Luvuno Kombe, who vied as an independent candidate (21,769), Maureen Atieno Ochieng, also an independent candidate (2,309) and Ephie Chari Wesa of KADU Asili (3,672).
In the senatorial race, Stewart Mwachiro Shadrack Madzayo of ODM won a third term after scooping 144,740 votes against PAA’s Benjamin Kai Chilumo (69,917), UDA’s Shukran Mwabonje (46,063) and Amani National Congress (ANC)’s Carolyne Andzazi Chilango (22,599).
Speaking after receiving their certificates, the three leaders thanked the people of Kilifi for electing them and pledged to work together to ensure residents get the services they have been yearning for.
The leaders struck a reconciliatory note, urging their competitors to join hands with the elected leaders to develop the county.
On his part, Mr Gurre said IEBC had done its best to deliver a credible election and refuted claims of vote rigging in favour of certain candidates.
The Orange Party, which has faced a great onslaught from PAA and UDA managed to get four out of the seven parliamentary seats and a host of Members of County Assembly, a majority of whom are newcomers having trounced old guards.
By Emmanuel Masha
