Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission preps up for Homa Bay by-election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has stepped up preparations for the Homa Bay senatorial by-election.

Homa Bay County Returning Officer Maurice Raria and Central Regional Elections Co-ordinator Rasi Masudi held a pre-nomination meeting  at the Homa Bay Farmers Training Centre last Friday and briefed the candidates on the commission’s requirements before they are cleared on January 15 or 16.

“We are going to hold another meeting with the candidates on January 18 to harmonise their timetables so that campaigns can kick off officially,” Raria said.

The senatorial by-election is a litmus test for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as its candidate Moses Kajwang’ struggles to overcome the political storm ignited by the party’s decision to hand him a direct nomination.

ODM enjoys popular support in Nyanza, particularly in Homa Bay County.

In the last General Election,  it is only in Homa Bay where ODM bagged all seats — it secured the parliamentary, women representative, senatorial and gubernatorial seats.

But the party is now faced with a serious blow out in the February 12 by-election with many of the party’s supporters criticising the ODM Elections Board for giving Kajwang’  a direct ticket to succeed his elder brother Otieno Kajwang’ who died in November last year.

Former Rangwe legislator Phillip Okundi, former NSSF boss Fred Rabong’o and former Raila’s personal assiastant Silus Jakakimba, who had been seeking the ODM nomination, have since decamped to other political parties and could vie against Kajwang’.

Okundi  decamped to the Maendeleo Democratic Party, while Rabong’o and Jakakimba  have sought tickets from The National Agenda Party and United Democratic Movement respectively.

Big challenge

So far ten candidates have announced they will vie for the senate seat. Among them are  Hillary Alila (Independent), Innocent Masara (Independent), Prof Medo Misama (Independent) Edwin Matete (Independent), Aduke Ratimo (Labour Party of Kenya) and Dennis Onyango (Federal Party of Kenya).

During the burial of Fidel Odinga in Bondo yesterday, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and CORD co-principal and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, urged Homa Bay voters to elect the ODM candidate as a mark of respect for the former Prime Minister’s son.

 The ODM Secretary in Kasipul Constituency, Aggrey Otore, has  however opposed Kajwang’s nomination.

“I do have no problem with Kajwang’, but it is unfortunate that the party failed to give the people of Homa Bay an opportunity to elect a senator of their choice,” he said.

However, other ODM officials  rallied behind  Kajwang’.

“I am the chairman of Mbita Constituency where Kajwang’ comes from hence I have to support the position taken by my party,” said Narkiso Tuko.

Political analysts forsee mounting opposition for ODM at these polls.

Maseno University Political Science lecturer Tom Mboya says the departure of Jakakimba and Rabong’o, who draw immense support from  the populous Suba region, may pose a serious threat.

“Moses would have an edge if CORD (Coalition for Reforms and Democracy) as a coalition decided to field one candidate.

“However, local people have voiced concern at   the manner in which the nomination was conducted which could provide  his opponents with a rallying call during the campaign,” says Mboya.

However, the Raila factor will still be at play.

  “If Raila decides to campaign for him in Homa Bay, people are likely to back him,” Mboya added.

It is expected that 326,505 voters will participate in the February 12 by-election.