Naomi Shaban’s rival in the Taveta MP’s race bows out

Mr Mike Banton who lost to Dr Naomi Shaban in the Taveta Constituency Jubilee Party primaries. He has bowed out of the parliamentary race but said he will remain in Jubilee. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said he will not run as an independent candidate since that would force him to quit the Jubilee Party.
  • He accused the MP of putting her supporters in polling stations to influence the poll outcome.
  • He said he will campaign for the Jubilee Party.

A key opponent of Taveta MP Naomi Shaban in the recent Jubilee Party primaries has bowed out of the parliamentary race.

However, Mr Mike Banton, has said he will not run as an independent candidate since that would force him to quit the Jubilee Party which he does not wish to do.

He however said there were irregularities in the primary election in which he garnered 5,661 votes against the incumbent MP’s 9,751 votes.

“The exercise was marred with irregularities. There was multiple voting in most polling stations in favour of my opponent,” he said.

He accused the MP of putting her supporters in polling stations to influence the poll outcome.

He said running as an independent candidate means resigning from Jubilee party something which he was not ready to do.

CAMPAIGN FOR JUBILEE

“My party has not wronged me so I have no reason to resign from it. I have decided to actively campaign for the party because if our party leader wins we all win,” he said.

Mr Banton said he will however not support Dr Shaban’s bid to retain her seat in the coming elections.

He said Dr Shaban has not sought his support.

Last month, Dr Shaban, an ardent Jubilee supporter resigned from the party but rescinded her decision two days later.

Dr Shaban will face candidates from other parties.

They include Jackson Mwalulu (Maendeleo Chap Chap) Jasper Mruttu (Ford Kenya) Ruth Lelewu (ODM) Stephen Odiaga (Wiper) and Moris Mutiso (independent).