Kiala accuses Wiper of denying him to contest for Machakos governor seat
Machakos County Deputy Governor and Wiper Party gubernatorial aspirant Bernard Kiala claims that the party denied him a chance to contest the post and instead gave a direct nomination ticket to Wavinya Ndeti of Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU).
Kiala said the party cancelled the Wiper gubernatorial party primaries in Machakos County without consultation among the three contestants for the seat.
The three aspirants for the race had attracted Wavinya Ndeti who joined Wiper Party after ditching her CCU party, Bernard Kiala the Machakos Deputy Governor and Peter Mathuki, a legislator of the East African Legislative Assembly.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency, Kiala said after the cancelation, they all were called for a meeting at the party headquarters only for him to meet lawyers of the other two aspirants and Farah Maalim, the party vice chair.
The lawyers representing Wavinya and Mathuki said Wiper had granted the two a direct nomination as governor and running mate aspirants respectively.
Maalim also informed Kiala of the same decision landing him in a limbo.
Kiala said he had presented all the requirements to contest on the party as well as made all the payments to the party in January and was cleared to contest.
He wondered how a candidate who came to the party the other day could qualify for a direct nomination leaving him behind despite having fought for the party zealously.
He cited the action as unfair and promised to pursue all ways to have the Wiper party primaries done.
Kiala confessed that what he wanted was for the voice of the people to elect a leader of their choice but not one that is imposed by individuals.
“I am ready to go to the ballot with Wiper Party and it is for people to exercise their right in choosing or rejecting me as their choice for Wiper gubernatorial aspirant,” he said and posed: “If the party chair David Musila was subjected to party nominations in Kitui and other places, why can’t that be replicated in Machakos?”
The MP said he carried out his campaigns ‘Ugatuzi na Kiala’ until the last day only to be surprised by the cancellation of primaries for governor seat which he said he suspects the other two aspirants knew about hence their absence from the convened meeting at the party headquarters.
He vowed that he would explore all possible ways to have justice within Wiper Party including going to court since the party constitution provided that incase a position attracts more than two candidates, they should be subjected to a nominations exercise.
Should the party fail to respond to his requests, Kiala said he would consult with his supporters to decide the way forward to enable him be on the ballot come August 8 election.
ENDS
