By Maureen Odiwuor and Robert Nyasato
Presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth has called on the Interim Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IIEBC) to guarantee that the forthcoming elections will be transparent.
Speaking during the Kisumu Peace Festival, the Gatanga MP said the commission has an obligation to safeguard the Constitution’s provision on free and fair elections to promote peace and unity.
Kenneth said all Kenyans have a right to quality services, which will only be realised by electing the right people to govern the country.
“We all need opportunities to develop and fee our minds for peace to prevail amongst us,” said Kenneth, who also scoffed at political alliances.
Ugenya MP James Orengo urged the Gatanga MP to join efforts in realising full implementation of the Constitution. “We are not telling you to support Raila but at least join forces in realising our Constitution dream,” said Orengo.
German ambassador to Kenya Margit Hellwig-Boet said the peace festival, which is intended to run for three days, is part of activities of fostering peace in Kisumu ahead of the General Election.
Meanwhile, the battle for Kisii County gubernatorial post has gained momentum with two of Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s close allies joining the race.
Local politicians had conspicuously kept silent over the position but so far, Foreign Affairs Assistant minister, Richard Onyonka, former PS James Ongwae and US-based university lecturer Lumumba Nyaberi have expressed interest in the seat.
Onyonka is the Kitutu Masaba MP on an ODM-affiliated party, while Ongwae is Raila’s chief presidential campaigner.
During a meeting convened by Kitutu Chache ODM Chairman Samuel Omwando, over 400 delegates endorsed Ongwae’s candidature.
At the meeting dubbed the Marani Declaration, the delegates said they settled for Ongwae based on his past performance in the civil service and impressive leadership in politics.
Onyonka on the other hand has been traversing the county to popularise his candidature.
