As campaigns for Kibra by-election intensify, details of allegations of voter bribery and buying of electorates have emerged pitting Jubilee Party candidate McDonald Mariga and Deputy President William Ruto.
On Friday, the DP hosted a delegation of grassroots leaders from Kibra constituency to drum up support for Mariga at his Karen Residence, Nairobi.
social media reports indicate that the meeting, apart from seeking the support of the attendees, aimed at bribing the Kibra residents.
One verified Twitter user, Lord Abraham Mutai, claimed that Kibra voters have been storming the DP’s residence to collect irregular daily payments linked to the Kibra race.
“Someone just sent me this photo taken outside William Ruto’s gate this morning. Kibra voters leaving DP’s Karen home after probably collecting daily payments. William Ruto is really corrupting our electoral system,” claimed Mutai.
Furthermore, another user who commented on Mutai’s post shared a screenshot of a secret message sent to him by unknown sources indicating that the person was being invited at DP Ruto’s residence.
The message further urged the receiver to keep the message private and walk with the national ID for verification.
— Hezron ac Kipruto (@kipruto_hezron) October 4, 2019
Another social media user, Wegesa Wegesa, who shared his opinion on the matter, also alleged that the reports of voter bribery were true to his knowledge.
“I wanted to say I’ll send you early morning pictures of this same road for a week after the elections, these same people will still be walking. But najua nitaambiwa, they’re collecting “shukrani” or something,” he claimed.
According to sources who spoke to this writer on condition of anonymity, on various visits that they had made to the DP’s residence, they claimed each walked away with at least Ksh500.
Important to note, that the monies pocketed by the delegates were not verified as bribery or the usual ‘political token of appreciation.’
All these have emerged as mere allegations which haven’t been substantiated so far by the relevant bodies.
Someone just sent me this photo taken outside William Ruto's gate this morning. Kibra Voters leaving DP’s Karen home after probably collecting daily payments. William Ruto is really corrupting our electoral system. pic.twitter.com/MGhQfEmrox
— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) October 4, 2019