Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has accused his opponents of bribing voters in six out of the eight constituencies in the Eastern region county.
Governor Mutua claims that voters have been paid Sh200 to vote in favour of his opponents in operations that took place on two nights leading up to election day.
During a press briefing on Monday, the Governor stated that voters in Kathiani, Masinga, Yatta, Mwala, Mavoko and Machakos Town constituency have been bribed by his opponents.
"We have reports that there has been a lot of bribing and intimidation going on during the night in Machakos. We have been told that people are being bundled into groups and given Sh200 and told to vote for our opponent
"The use of money to bribe voters is an election offence and I urge our people not to agree to be bought with Sh200 and to stay forever without essential services," Dr Mutua urged.
The incumbent, whose main challenger is Wiper party's Wavinya Ndeti, told reporters that he had already lodged a complaint with the authorities.
He also called on his supporters to be vigilant and report any such incidents to the authorities even as they prepare to vote.
"I would like to say that we have put measures in place and overnight we will have patrols across the county to ensure that anybody who bribing voters will be dealt with accordingly," he asserted.
Dr Mutua asked his opponents to accept defeat and to maintain peace during the elections.
"These elections are not a matter of life and death. So if somebody loses just go home and chill, Kenyans want peace and stability," he urged.
Mutua is expected to cast his vote at Mathatani Primary School in Machakos Town constituency while Wavinya Ndeti is expected to vote at Makandara polling centre in Mavoko.
