The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has slammed the opposition over what it described as 'unfounded' claims, following the release of explosive rigging allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies ahead of the November 27 by-election.
In a sharp rejoinder shortly after the United Opposition's joint statement, UDA, through its Secretary General Hassan Omar, accused Gachagua's camp of sensing defeat in battle zones as the polls get underway.
On Wednesday evening, Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, flanked by Rigathi Gachagua and Eugene Wamalwa, claimed there was an elaborate plot to rig the polls in battle zones, including Mbeere North, Magarini on the coast, and Malava, among other areas.
But in a response, UDA refuted claims that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had been compromised, instead blaming the opposition for resorting to last-ditch tactics to derail the polls.
"These claims are nothing more than a predictable attempt to politicise the electoral process and prepare the ground for rejecting the will of the people," UDA's statement read.
“Clearly, the joint opposition has sensed imminent defeat at the ballot. Their strategy of attacking our democratic institutions whenever they stare defeat in the face is a tired, old-fashioned, corrosive, and primitive way of life and an insult to the intelligence of Kenyan voters.”
UDA further urged IEBC to ignore rigging claims and instead focus on delivering a fair and credible by-election in all 22 electoral areas.
The ruling party insisted the electoral body was working independently and had shown levels of professionalism in the build-up to the polls.
On Wednesday, the two warring factions, consisting of the opposition and the ruling UDA, were embroiled in a war of allegations, with Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire also claiming Gachagua had plans to intimidate voters in Mbeere North through the so-called election observers.
There were also claims that voters were being bribed in volatile areas like Kanyombora and Ishiara in Mbeere North.
On the opposition's part, they claimed the state planned to deploy goons disguised as electoral agents at polling stations to cause a fracas, during which other government-allied officials would stuff ballot boxes with pre-marked papers.
The leaders further claimed that there was credible information that there were thousands of unserialised ballot papers which had made their way to competitive regions to swing votes against them.
