Lugari Constituency is ready for tomorrow’s (Monday) election of the Kakamega Governor according to the constituency returning officer Jeremiah Kerich.
Kerich who was speaking after the verification of the ballot papers at constituency tallying centre, Quakers Church Lumakanda said all the requirements for the exercise have been met.
He confirmed that is expected to start at 6am and close at 5pm Monday.
“Our officials have been briefed on what is expected of them, together with other interested parties in all 173 polling stations in the constituency,” he said.
Kerich noted that Presiding Officers, their Deputies together with the clerks are under firm instructions to stick to the IEBC rules and immediately report challenges they may encounter during the exercise.
Lugari Sub-County Police Commander Bernard Ngungu, also present noted that enough security will be deployed in all polling stations to guarantee safety during the exercise.
“We have requested for more security personnel from neighbouring counties to provide needed security in all polling stations in the constituency,” the Sub-County Police Boss assured.
Ngungu revealed that they had not received any security threat related to the voting exercise but pleaded with the locals to vote peacefully and report to police incidents that they might suspect will threaten security.
The locals who spoke to KNA said they expect the governor who will win to initiate projects that are aimed at alleviating poverty in villages.
“He has to be ready for massive task ahead of him to outsmart the current governor who has done commendable work to improve people’s lives,” Lumakanda resident said.
The Monday 29, 2022 Governors election will be in the counties of Mombasa and Kakamega. The elections failed on 9th August general elections after ballot papers carried wrong instructions.
The Kakamega race is expected to be a tight race between two main contenders Fernandes Barasa of Orange Democratic Movement and Amani National Congress Cleophas Malala.
Other candidates expected in the ballot include Shakhalaga Jirongo of United Democratic Party, Samuel Omukoko, Independent, Austine Otieno, Independent, Michael Osundwa, Independent and Suleiman Kanyanya of Kenya African National Union.
Kakamega residents will be electing a governor to take over from former governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya who has served the two constitutional terms.
By Geoffrey Satia
