Thousands turn up to register as voters in Kisumu

By Justus Ochieng'(The Star Kenya) The Bunge La Mwananchi group in Kisumu has launched an ID registration exercise for street families, fishermen and commercial sex workers. The initiative was launched on Lwang’ni beach in Kisumu town yesterday by area politician Alex Otieno. He said they are working with the department of the registration of persons to reach out to these groups. Otieno said the initiative will take two weeks. He is popularly known as Aleki and has involved six Bunge la Mwananchi groups based at Central Square, Manyatta,Kondele,Nyalenda,Obunga and Car Wash. Otieno said more than 4000 ID cards have been lying uncollected at the registration offices. “We are alarmed by the high number of people who still do not have IDs,”he said Otieno said most of the people in this group who have reached age 18 have in the past been locked out of voter registration for lack of ID cards. “We have launched the initiative at Lwang’ni and we shall move to Nyalenda, Nyalenda B, Bus Park, Jubilee Market, Jomo Kenyatta sports grounds,Central Square and Kibuye market,” he said Otieno said they will then move across the county of Kisumu to urge residents to collect their cards. “We want to ensure people go for the cards and register in large numbers as voters ahead of the 2017 elections,”he said Otieno said they will also target schools and churches.” The groups National Coordinator Amos K’Ogal famously known as Lee Makwinyrequested the government to work in earnest and help its citizens acquire their rightful ID cards and subsequent voters card in good time. He also warned that any form sabotage that would see any delays in the processes would be treated with contempt it deserves. The Kisumu based political activist Lee Makwinythanked the Star Newspaper and Radio Nam Lolwe team(MC Jakakamega,Victor Otieno Juma) for their continued support in assisting in the registration awareness. He appealed to CORD leaders and other members to replicate the process in their respective areas with speed. “Our People have heeded to our calls to register for ID and as voters. We have just visited the registration site at LWANGNI at this hour and we are shocked at the turnout. I have never witnessed this kind of crowd of people without ID turning up to register. This is probably the most successful ID and voters registration exercise that should be replicated throughout our strongholds. ” He said