Kitui West Parliamentary aspirant Maluki Mwendwa was on Tuesday morning temporarily blocked from participating in the ongoing Wiper Party nominations in the constituency.
According to first-hand reports, Mr Mwendwa who is seeking to replace the late Francis Nyenze was turned away from the polling station after he forgot to carry his Identity Card (ID).
The aspirant was forced to wait for his ID and is expected to cast his vote at Matinyani DEB polling station.
[caption caption="Mr Mwendwa waiting for his turn to vote"]
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The nominations kicked off on Tuesday morning and are expected to continue through the entire day.
Wiper Party has listed two candidates, namely; Edith Nyenze who is the wife of the late Francis Nyenze and Mr Mwendwa.
[caption caption="File image of Ms Nyenze campaigning"]
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Ms Nyenze who is also the elder sister to Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua is hoping that her late Husband's popularity and her former experience as a school principal will work for her.
Mr Kitili on his part hopes that his youthfulness will resonate with the young people in the county and convince them to support his bid.
“I am bringing freshness to the campaign and my agenda is very clear; to make the area a model constituency where every villager feels the impact of our development agenda. I believe I am the best,” he stated in Kitui while addressing the media.
Apart from the two; Mutiso Leli, Tonny Mbiti, Benjamin Musyoki, Dennis Mulwa, Mwikali Love and Elijah Muimi have also expressed interest in the seat and will contest it on different parties.
The Wiper Party is considered the dominant force in the region and whoever wins the nominations will have an upper hand in the election.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) earlier this month announced that the by-election for the constituency would be held on March 26, 2018.
[caption caption="File image of IEBC bosses"]
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Through a gazette notice, the electoral body disclosed that it was gearing up to hold the by-election to replace Nyenze who died in December.
"Following the declaration of Vacancy in the office of the Member of National Assembly for Kitui West Constituency via a letter from the Speaker and Gazette Notice No. 12711 Vol. CXIX- No. 193 dated 27th December 2017.
