Why ODM scored twice

By Standard on Saturday Team

ODM shrugged off leadership wrangles to win the two by-elections in Bomachoge and Shinyalu.

It retained Shinyalu and snatched Bomachoge from Ford-People, a PNU affiliate.

In Shinyalu, the much talked about challenge from Kaddu, the party of Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, did not materialise. The ODM candidate, Justus Kizito, had a commanding 14,452 against Daniel Khamasi of Kaddu, who got 5,080.

But in Bomachoge, it was a close shave for ODM. The difference between Simon Ogari of ODM and Joel Onyancha of PNU was 689 votes. Mr Ogari got 14,788 and Mr Onyancha 14,099. Ford-People’s Nyaundi Albert Mbaka came third with 2,731 votes.

Observers had predicted ODM would pay a heavy price for clashes between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture Minister William Ruto. They have differed on how to deal with post-election violence suspects and Mau conservation.

And to those who may ask how a divided party came out such strongly, the answer is not difficult to get. During the campaigns, Raila and his rival Agriculture Minister William Ruto campaigned in Shinyalu, although separately, but for one candidate. And therein lies the ODM strength and victory in the by-elections.

Lands Minister James Orengo (left), Mr Simon Ogari (centre) and other officials celebrate Ogari’s victory Friday. [Photo: TITUS MUNALA/Standard]

ODM mounted an impressive campaign comprising several Cabinet ministers. The Prime Minister also addressed several rallies in the constituencies; with a message ODM is "the party of the future".

Analysts attributed the win to the fact that ODM had learnt from mistakes during nominations in Bomachoge for 2007 General Election. Then, the party candidate came third. But for the by-election, ODM conducted nominations and the losers joined the winners in the campaigns.

Yesterday, Raila was quick to point out that the twin victories in Shinyalu and Bomachoge prove ODM still enjoys popular support across the country.

"Voters still believe in the Orange dream," he said.

Raila, who is the ODM leader, urged party members "to harness and not betray this goodwill". He was referring to party rows.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who was present when the ODM candidate was declared the winner in Shinyalu, said the constituents had spoken through the ballot and that elections were largely free and fair.

Onyancha’s election in 2007 was overturned by the High Court after Ogari and another aspirant, Zephania Nyang’wara, claimed the elections were flawed.

In Shinyalu, the by-election followed the death of Charles Lugano Lucheli.

Tension high

Following the Thursday victory, ODM has seven MPs against PNU’s three in Kisii. ODM MPs include Public Works Minister Chris Obure, Assistant Ministers James Gesami, Richard Onyonka and Omingo Magara, and MPs Andrew Monda, Charles Onyancha and MP-elect Ogari.

Following Onyancha’s defeat, PNU has three MPs — Education Minister Sam Ongeri and MPs Walter Nyambati and Wilfred Ombui.

The climax of the by-election was vote tallying at Tendere Hall. Tension was high and the Independent Interim Electoral Commission did not take chances with security.

More than 300 Administration Police, regular police officers, and General Service Unit personnel were deployed at the centre.

In the hall Lands Minister James Orengo and his Education counterpart Ongeri led ODM and PNU teams. But the two Cabinet colleagues who sat close to each other were not talking as the results trickled in.

ODM took an early lead, but along the way, the PNU candidate’s tally increased. Towards the end of the exercise, Onyancha’s supporters outside the hall burst into celebration as he took an 800-vote lead.

But their celebration was short-lived when Ogari garnered 848 votes at Nyansara polling station, his home area, to narrow the margin. He then received 458 votes at Nyamonyo polling station and a 391 votes’ boost at Nyaburumbasi station.

On sensing defeat, Prof Sam Ongeri of PNU walked out of the hall. It was at this juncture that the then silent ODM supporters started celebrating.

Orengo described the polls as the most bruising political battle he has ever fought for ODM. He said the results were evidence of the support the party enjoyed in the area and told ODM detractors the party strength is still intact.

In Shinyalu, Patrick Chungani of PNU was third with 3, 304 votes, Ford-Kenya’s Geoffrey Agwili (785), Aford’s Gerrishon Machanja (401), New Vision Party’s Silas Andega (382), New Ford-Kenya’s Babetuu Amutavi (301), Kanu’s Ambrose Lusuli (186), Narc-Kenya’s Patrick Ayisi (161), UDM’s Jennifer Shamalla (131) and Ford-People’s Christopher Milimu (94).

Wild celebrations rocked Bomachoge when Returning Officer Thomas Ingolo declared Ogari the winner.

ODM supporters sang and danced at Tendere Secondary School where the votes were tallied at dawn.

Addressing supporters, Ogari acknowledged that the race had been tight, but said he was happy to win.

Wild Celebrations

In Shinyalu, Kizito said: "It is a great day for ODM, as the party reclaimed its Shinyalu seat and added a new one." He congratulated his counterpart in Bomachoge.

Onyancha left the tallying centre a few minutes after 3am. His family members and party agents remained to monitor the proceedings.

Before the declaration of the result, Onyancha’s agents raised objections to the tally, arguing it differed with theirs. But the returning officer asked them to raise the protests after he had read the results.

Stories by Kenan Miruka, Robert Nyasato, Peter Atsiaya, Allan Kisia and Roselyne Obala

 

Read all about: Bomachoge Shinyalu Ford-People PNU

 

 

---