Rigging claims stir Nakuru residents

Youths turn up in large numbers at Mkarafuu market in Nakuru West to register for tree planting job courtesy of Multi-touch International Environmental NGO. The youths had to register with their IDs an issue that ODM candidate in the area Dr.Ochoki claims is a plan by opponent to rig August polls.

Nakuru Town West parliamentary candidate on ODM ticket Dr Isoe Ochoki has raised claims that there is plan by some of his opponents to rig the August polls.

Addressing media in the area, Dr Ochoki claimed the candidate was busy taking IDs from youths in the name of employing them for NYS and tree planting jobs -an issue he (Ochoki) says is a plan to rig the parliamentary votes in the area.

He added that he had reported the matter to the police and called on the police and IEBC to look into it in order to ensure there is a peaceful election in Nakuru Town West without any intimidation.

“No government is employing people as per now but this particular candidate is busy taking National IDs from youths in this area in the name of offering them job but we think this is a plan to rig the parliamentary election,” claimed Ochoki.

However according to Christine Wangari from Multi-touch International-an NGO dealing with Environmental conservation, the plan to have trees planted at the Mkarafuu grounds was not political but to ensure that the environment is well taken care off.

She added that everyone understands the importance of trees as far environment is concerned as well as water catchment and therefore should not be politicized.

She admitted that indeed as organization they had decided to employ numerous youths for the tree planting exercise at Mkarafuu grounds but the exercise was not political.

While calling on the youths to embrace the program, Mrs.Wangari noted that this was the only way to mitigate challenges of climate change.

“If we plant trees then we are assured of climate change mitigation and I call upon the youths to embrace the program without politicizing it,” she said.

She reiterated that as an organization they are ready to work with all leaders who mean good for the environment as well as the people.

Wangari also challenged youths and women in Nakuru West to ensure they elect leaders who have their interests at heart.

“We want clean politics and we must elect leaders who are ready to work for the people. As Multi-Touch we are ready to work with leaders in ensuring that the no youths or women are unemployed,” she said.

This even as Kenyans count less than 12 days to the August polls.

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