Gaucho rubbishes Bunge la Mwananchi election
By Winnie OnyandoGhetto President Calvince Okoth popularly known as Gaucho has rubbished the Bunge la Mwananchi Presidential Election held last year December.
Speaking exclusively to Nairobi News, Gaucho, who was on the frontline during the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya anti-government protest, said that the elections that were held at Jivanjee Gardens on December 7, 2023, were done out of haste and that only a few people showed up to vote.
“I have been slow to speak about the Bunge la Mwananchi elections because to me the elections were a ‘joke’. How can the winner gunner only 37 votes? This is a sure indication that just a few people showed up to vote,” Gaucho told Nairobi News.
On the other hand, he noted that there was only one ballot which was for the presidency, as opposed to other years where the grassroots members elected Woman Representative, Speaker among other posts.
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He also noted that he is yet to congratulate Francis Awino, who was elected the Bunge la Mwananchi president, because he never wanted to be biased.
“You see, even in Migori, there is a new president. In other countries we have new presidents or chairmen and I never wanted to be seen as one who only supports the Nairobi group.”
However, he said that he wishes the new president all the best in his work.
“I have no grudge with anyone and I wish the new leader all the best,” Gaucho added.
During the counting process of the result last year, on December 7, 2023, the new president garnered 37 votes. Mishael Kira got five votes, Rajab Were (0), Isaac Otieno (3), Solomon Mwangi (0) and Patrick G Kamotho got four votes.
The total number of registered voters is 730.
Founded in the early 1990s as a social movement during a one-party state, Bunge la Mwananchi aims to keep the ruling government in check.
In its early years, the president served for several years before a new leader was elected, but election periods have since been shortened.
With active members in 26 counties, Bunge la Mwananchi holds its elections for president, vice president, speaker, and women’s representative at its headquarters in Jeevanjee.
Delegates from each county attend these elections and vote on behalf of the members. After the votes are counted, the winners are sworn in two weeks later.