KIAMBU DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS, MR. KOINANGE ARRIVING, WOMEN CHANTING, MR. KENYATTA ARRIVING AND HANDING IN NOMINATION PAPER, OTHER CANDIDATES HANDING IN PAPERS. (NATSOF)




Initials RJ/V/DW/OS



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Background: NEARLY THREE AND A HALF MILLION VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS ON DECEMBER 6 TO DECIDE WHO WILL FILL THE 158 SEATS IN KENYA'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. MORE THAN 600 CANDIDATES HANDED IN THEIR NOMINATION PAPERS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).

RETURNING OFFICERS FINALLY ACCEPTED ABOUT 600 NOMINATIONS AFTER REJECTING THOSE WHICH WERE INCORRECTLY FILLED OUT AND SOME WHICH ARRIVED TOO LATE. THE RULING KENYA AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION (KANU) IS THE LONE PARTY IN THE ELECTIONS, BUT AS ONE MINISTER PUT IT, THE ELECTIONS ARE ALMOST A FREE-FOR-ALL. KANU ISN'T BACKING ANY INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE WITH FINANCING OR ORGANISATION AND A NUMBER OF NEW FACES ARE EXPECTED IN THE NEXT PARLIAMENT. INCUMBENT PRESIDENT JOMO KENYATTA IS UNOPPOSED IN HIS ELECTORATE AS IS MR. DANIEL ARAP MOI, THE VICE PRESIDENT. BUT MOST CONSTITUENCIES HAVE AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR CANDIDATES AND IN NAIROBI 45 NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.

KENYA'S POLICE COMMISSIONER HAS WARNED CANDIDATES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS AGAINST PROVOKING DISTURBANCES DURING THE CAMPAIGNING. HE SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THE POLICE FORCES' NORMAL DUTIES SPECIAL ATTENTION WOULD BE PAID TO OFFENSES RELATING TO THE ELECTIONS WHICH MIGHT BE ATTEMPTED BY A FEW UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE.