Yusuf Chanzu wins ANC ticket to vie for Vihiga governor’s seat
Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu who has won the ANC ticket to vie for the Governor's seat. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Chanzu will now battle for the county’s top seat against the incumbent Governor Moses Akaranga (Progressive Party of Kenya), Dr Wilbur Ottichilo (ODM), Mr Kennedy Butiko (United Democratic Party) and Ms Helen Otolo (Independent).
- During the primaries held on Saturday, voters did not vote for senator's position as the incumbent, Mr George Khaniri, was issued with a direct ticket.
Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu has been declared the winner of the Vihiga Amani National Congress (ANC) gubernatorial primaries in results announced Sunday morning.
Mr Chanzu garnered 16,450 votes against Mr Josephat Amadi's 13,386 votes.
Mr Chanzu will now battle for the county’s top seat against the incumbent Governor Moses Akaranga (Progressive Party of Kenya), Dr Wilbur Ottichilo (ODM), Mr Kennedy Butiko (United Democratic Party) and Ms Helen Otolo (Independent).
County returning officer Hussein Jama also declared Mrs Beatrice Adagala won the Woman Rep seat after garnering 50,412 votes.
Her rival, Mary Amalemba got 8,400 votes.
During the primaries held on Saturday, voters did not vote for senator's position as the incumbent, Mr George Khaniri, was issued with a direct ticket.
The move was protested by his bitter rival Dr Jairus Amayi, who complained the party had rigged him out.
He vowed to compete against Mr Khaniri as an independent candidate on August 8.
"I am being buried today and I will come back on the third day just like Jesus who resurrected. I am looking for the most important option because I must meet Khaniri on August 8," said Dr Amayi.
He added: "I was called to ANC headquarters in Nairobi and asked to step down for Khaniri but I declined. That is when I was threatened that I will be rigged out. And true to their words, there were no ballot papers and boxes for the senator position."
Dr Amayi unsuccessfully ran for the Governor’s position in 2013 on UDF and came a distance third.
"I have always wanted to serve the people of Vihiga. I became a life member of ANC after we transited from UDF," he said.
He complained that he had paid Sh20,000 life membership fee and another Sh250,000 nomination fee for the senatorial position.
Mr Alfred Agoi (Sabatia MP) and Mr Nelson Muturi (Hamisi) also got direct tickets in what the party said their constituencies did not attract competition.
The primaries, that were largely peaceful, delayed to start in most of the 133 polling stations.
