Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo, popularly known as Matach, has sparked controversy after calling on Ol Kalou voters to return gifts and development benefits they allegedly received during the recently concluded parliamentary by-election following the defeat of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.
Speaking in Nairobi on Friday, Odhiambo criticised residents for accepting campaign incentives from UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga but voting for a rival candidate.
“We have witnessed uncouth behaviour from Ol Kalou residents for receiving goodies from the UDA candidate and then failing to vote for him. It is wrong to give people hope when you have no intention of voting for them. They should return everything they received during the campaign period,” said Odhiambo.
The MCA claimed that voters benefited from several government-backed development initiatives and campaign donations in the months leading up to the by-election. According to him, these included electricity connections, agricultural support, foodstuffs, mattresses, blankets, shoes, gas cookers and cash.
“People were given foodstuffs, mattresses, blankets, shoes, gas cookers and cash. Let them return everything or else the gas will burn you in your houses,” he said.
His remarks came hours after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho the winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
According to the official results announced on Friday morning, Kamau garnered 35,440votes, comfortably defeating UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who received 5,450 votes.
Jubilee Party candidate Wilson Kigwa finished third with 198 votes, followed by Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka of the National Liberal Party (NLP) with 103 votes, Timothy Kamau Kariuki of the People’s Movement (PM) with 51 votes, Edwin Kariiri Muchiri of PNU with 28 votes, Abdifatah Hussein Abdullahi of FPK with 19 votes, Edward Mathenge Mwaniki of KMM with 16 votes and Rachael Wangui Njoroge of PDP with 11 votes.
Odhiambo’s comments are likely to generate political debate, with critics expected to question the appropriateness of linking government development projects to electoral support. Kenyan electoral law prohibits voter bribery and the use of public resources to influence voters during election campaigns.
