Leaflets scared Bungoma but Uhuru will get more votes, says Lusaka

Jubilee leaders in Bungoma have said voter numbers were low on Thursday because leaflets with warnings were circulated.

Led by Senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka, who lost the governor seat for supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta, they said residents feared possible attacks.

Leaflets reading ‘No reforms! No elections!’ – one of NASA leader Raila Odinga’s battle cries, were distributed in key areas of Webuye, Kimilili and Chwele.

“We know leaflets which were dropped in the county two days to the election made people afraid. But they turned up in large numbers in some areas after we assured total security,” he said.

He addressed the press after voting at Mapela Primary School.

Lusaka said at the time that the numbers would increase as the day progresses as peace was largely the case.

When polling stations closed at 5pm, the centre registered 204 out of 774 votes for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Sirisia MP John Waluke said voting took place at all centres in the county “without any lapses”.

Waluke, who is the county’s Jubilee Party chairman, said the National Super Alliance failed to convince people not to vote.

Other principals in the coalition are Deputy President hopeful Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) and Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress).

Speaking after voting at Yebeko Primary School, the legislator noted voting also took place in Wetang’ula’s backyard.

“Wetang’ula is a NASA co-principal but voting went on smoothly in his polling station…without destruction and chaos.”

The Senator had asked residents to boycott the election, in line with a national announcement by Raila.