This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
On October 18, 2019, Reuben Mwamure Katana of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was declared the winner of the Ganda Ward by-election in Kilifi County, Kenya.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Ganda Ward Returning Officer Juma Musa, Katana garnered 4,177 votes, trouncing three other candidates.
His closest challenger, independent candidate Abdul Omar Mohamed, received 2,331 votes, while Joseph Kiponda of the Jubilee Party and David Iha Mitsanze of Kadu Asili garnered 589 votes and 362 votes respectively.
The by-election was marred by a low voter turnout, attributed to heavy rains and a heavy police presence.
Only 7,469 voters, representing 45.15 percent of the 16,623 registered voters, turned out to vote in the mini poll.
Speaking immediately after being declared the winner, Katana urged the residents of Ganda ward to unite for accelerated development.
He praised IEBC for conducting a free and fair by-election and security agents for ensuring the exercise went smoothly.
