Kilifi County Returning Officer Suspends Tallying of Results

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Wednesday suspended tallying of election results in Kilifi County.

County Returning Officer (RO) Nelly Ilongo, while addressing the media, noted that she had suspended the tallying but did not give details as to why the exercise had been put on hold.

The Returning Officer is said to have suspended the exercise after rigging claims from a section of aspirants.

Jubilee, Kadu Asili and Wiper candidates reportedly stormed the tallying centre and demanded that the RO stops the exercise because ODM “had rigged” the election in Kaloleni.

"Please announce to the media that you have suspended this exercise because it is a shame,” said Mustapha to which Ms Ilongo replied "Yes, I have suspended it.” the Nation reported.

Security was beefed up after the announcement with police officers securing the RO, sending away all party agents and ordering journalists to remain at the tallying centre.

"I now order everybody to leave this place with immediate effect," a senior police officer stated shortly after the announcement.

After the exercise was suspended, politicians and their supporters started chanting slogans against Governor Amason Kingi as they moved out of the tallying centre.

Jubilee governorship candidate Gideon Mung’aro welcomed the move stating that it would pave way for justice to prevail.

"The governor wanted to steal this election but thank God we have discovered his motives. The suspension will open a chance for proper investigations on the involvement of ODM in election malpractice in this county," he stated.

Former Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi, who was contesting the governorship seat on a KADU Asili ticket, noted that he would move to court seeking orders for a recount of the votes cast.

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