Bonchari prepares to host titanic battle

By PROTUS ONYANGO and ERIC ABUGA

Bonchari constituency is expected to experience high-voltage politics during the by-election slated for June 3.  

The National Alliance (TNA) chairman and nominated MP Johnson Sakaja said the party is not fielding a candidate but is supporting Ford People’s nominated candidate Zebedeo Opore for re-election.

“We handed the certificate to Opore yesterday to contest for the seat and the Jubilee coalition will give him total support and ensure he wins,” Mr Sakaja said.

He added, “We are solidly behind Opore. We are keen to see Jubilee retain the seat. We are talking with John Oyioka of Kanu to join our camp so that we win.”

Sakaja said the coalition’s team is already in Bonchari camp-SHAL SUPPORT

“Candidates should be allowed to campaign and marshal their support from the ground and Jubilee should avoid openly supporting one candidate in the coalition. Let Jubilee explain why it is supporting one candidate yet we are all partners in the coalition,” Mr Oyioka said.

Ford People’s secretary general Albert Nyaundi called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to tighten up the electoral process to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

He noted that the by-election should be fair to all contestants and enable people to elect their preferred candidate.

Speaking after receiving the nomination certificate, Opore said as a sole flag bearer for the Jubilee coalition and Ford People, he looks forward to going to the ground to woo voters and clinch the seat.

However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could be staring at a possible internal crisis with insiders saying the party is likely to give its ticket to a new comer. The party flag bearer in the March 4 General Election, Charles Onyancha, managed a third position with 6,897 votes, a difference of 2,090 votes from the winner Opore, who garnered 8,987 votes.

Sources say ODM is considering giving its ticket to former Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Kisii branch chairman Geoffrey Mogire, who was the county’s ODM co-ordinator in the last General Election.

Speaking to The Standard, Mr Mogire admitted to have met a number of ODM officials, elders and youths from the constituency to deliberate on the matter.

“Bonchari constituency residents need new leaders who will steer different development projects in the area.  We need a leader with a road map and a stand to unite the people who have been polarised by clan politics,” Mogire said.

The by-election was ordered after a Court of Appeal overturned an earlier ruling by High Court to award victory to Kanu’s Oyioka.