Kilifi central beach management unit yesterday failed to hold its elections after most of the contestants failed to meet the election requirements. The election had been scheduled to take place on Thursday this week.
Calling off the elections, Kilifi district fisheries officer John Mwangi said only one of the contestants met the requirements. He said the elections will be presided by the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission.
“Most of those seeking to be elected into the committee do not have a certificate of good conduct and other crucial documents,” said Mwangi. Most fishermen disputed the voter register which they claimed had not been updated and accused the fisheries officer for locking out new members who wanted to register.
Kilifi boat operators chairman Shalo Issa accused the officer for plotting a conspiracy to lock out some members and instead registered members who are not players in the fishing industry.
However the fisheries officer directed that the elections shall only be conducted after a fresh fishermen register is prepared. He also directed an interim committee that was formed last year to come up with a nine member committee that will discuss and solve problems within the members prior to the election.
“Kilifi central BMU has stayed without a committee for long and they need to solve their issues first before we can proceed with the elections. The 9 member committee shall listen to all the problems and recommend some solutions before reporting to me” said mwangi. One of the contestants Swaleh Basadeeq commended the officer for calling off the election which had sparked controversy.
“The BMU has been run by self centered people and are the same people who wanted to manipulate today’s elections. We need to have a new and genuine member register,” said Basadeeq. The date of the elections is not yet known.
2012 The Star