Independent Electoral Boundary Commission (IEBC) has declared Jubilee candidate Ahmed Kolosh as the newly elected Member of Parliament for Wajir West Constituency.
While issuing the certificate at Griftu tallying centre IEBC Wajir West returning officer, Mourice Raria, said Kolosh garnered 11,053 votes while Ibrahim sheikh KANU garnered 6,532 votes.
IEBC Commission tallied results from all the 75 polling stations spread out in four wards: Arbajahan, Hadado/Athibohol, Adam Admasajide and Ganyure/Wagalla.
The by-election recorded more than 60 per cent voter turnout with 17,606 votes having been cast. The constituency has 27,544 registered voters.
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Sheik, while conceding defeat, promised to work closely with Kolosh.
Among the first to congratulate Kolosh was National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi.
Duale said the win was well deserved.
Alhamdullilahi, Congratulations Jubilee MP-elect Hon. Ahmed Kolosh for his historic win with over 11000 votes. The KANU candidate. Ibrahim Sheikh managed to garner 6532 votes. pic.twitter.com/ZN7XhYVx9t
— Hon. Aden Duale (@HonAdenDuale) April 26, 2019
The exercise was hit by the mass failure of the electronic biometric kits. Thus, voting was extended in the affected stations by one or two hours. The problem was however sorted out by the IEBC officials.
The contest was reduced to a two-horse race, between Kolosh and Mohammed, after other candidates withdrew.
Earlier this month, ODM’s candidate Mohamed Yusuf withdrew in favour of Jubilee’s Kolosh.
The seat fell vacant following a successful petition by Sheikh Ibrahim at the Supreme Court.
The Orange Democratic Movement has since congratulated Ahmed Kolosh of the Jubilee Party after he was declared the victor in the Wajir West by-election on Friday.
ODM said the party was ready to work with Kolosh to serve residents of Wajir West constituency.
Congratulations Hon. Ahmed Kolosh on recapturing the Wajir West parliamentary seat. We are glad to have been associated with you and introduced to serious politics. Time to serve your people now.
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) April 26, 2019