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Mathew Ndung’u, Oliver Musembi and Clement Kamau

Poor campaign tactics, choice of weak candidate and last-minute rush to mobilise for votes are some of the reasons believed to have cost Jubilee Party the Juja by-election.

The ruling party had fielded Susan Njeri Waititu, the widow of late MP Francis Waititu, who was trounced by People’s Empowerment Party candidate George Ndung’u Koimburi.

Koimburi, who is linked to Gatundu South Moses Kuria, won with 12,159 votes against Njeri’s 5,746.

Upon being declared the winner, Koimburi pledged to deliver.

“I will serve without discrimination and  with a mission to transform this constituency for the better,” he said.

The MP-elect had contested in the last General Election and emerged a strong second.

Jubilee’s campaigns in the race were spearheaded by Kiambu Governor James Nyoro.

Yesterday Nyoro denied claims that he instigated chaos at Mang’u High School tallying centre.

The by-election was peaceful until ballot boxes and other election materials were transported to Mang’u High School, the main tallying centre where chaos erupted after a group of people tried to disrupt the process.

Three men are reported to have stormed the centre and caused a commotion raising before heavily armed police intervened and whisked the three away.

The commotion intensified between Njeri’s supporters led by Nyoro, Woman Rep  Gathoni Wamuchomba and PEP candidate’s Koimburi supporters led by Kuria, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata and Witeithie Ward MCA Julius Macharia.

 IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati arrived at the centre 6am yesterday and ordered continuation of the tallying.

The exercise that took the better part of yesterday saw Jubilee Party supporters led by MP Njomo and the Jubilee candidate Njeri storm out of the tallying centre claiming that the process was flawed and they would not sit and watch the announcement of cooked results.