Raila says coalition was supporting Ford Kenya's Richard Onyonka

Kitutu Chache South ODM parliamentary aspirant Samwel Omwando during a campaign trail at Kisii Bochura on 4/11/2017.(photos sammy Omingo/standard)

Sibling rivalry could cost the National Super Alliance the Kitutu Chache South seat in today’s by-election, with contradicting remarks attributed to Opposition leader Raila Odinga on his preferred choice in the race.

Key parties in NASA are battling it out to win the seat from incumbent MP Richard Onyonka, who ditched the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for Ford Kenya.

Jubilee Party candidate Anthony Kibagendi, who defected from ODM, could be a key beneficiary of the sibling rivalry within NASA.  

TO SUPPORT

On Friday, Raila spoke to residents of Roga through his co-principal and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula, who claimed that the Opposition was in agreement to support the re-election of Mr Onyonka.

Wetang'ula, who was accompanied by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, said the leaders had met and agreed that the coalition should support Onyonka.

“We are not going to force other candidates in the alliance to step aside and support Onyonka. Their names have already been printed on the ballot papers and it could be too late for them to declare that they will not contest,” said Mr Wetang'ula.

However, on Saturday, while on the campaign trail, the ODM deputy director of elections, Bob Njagi, insisted that Raila was solidly behind the party candidate, Samuel Omwando.

“I have been sent here by none other than Raila himself. I have been given a special assignment to ensure that ODM clinches the seat. Let’s not fall into the trap of propaganda that the party leader has ditched his own,” said Mr Njagi.

Mr Omwando alleged that Raila could have been coerced by some local politicians to make the remarks but warned that this could cost NASA.

“I have a long stint in politics having served as mayor. Both Onyonka and Omwando are household names and it could be near-impossible to try and change the direction the vote could take. I am determined and confident to defeat the incumbent,” said Omwando.

Surprisingly, the ODM top leadership in the county has kept off the campaigns and efforts to reach Governor James Ongwae, Senator Sam Ongeri, and Woman Representative Janet Ong'era for the past few days have failed.

The three were elected on ODM tickets.

Omwando has remained a lone ranger in the campaigns despite having played a critical role during the Nyacheki ward by-election in October last year, where ODM candidate won the seat.

It is argued that NASA lost a number of seats in the area in the last General Election due to sibling rivalry that the principals in the alliance are not willing to resolve.

Kitutu Chache has more than 5,000 votes from the neighbouring community and remarks by Raila could sway the vote.

The largely cosmopolitan constituency also has a number of voters from the western region who reside in one of the wards.

Despite the intrigues, other NASA-allied candidates - Wiper’s Andrew Maubi and Amani National Congress’ Justus Mochoge concluded their campaigns on Saturday, saying they would defeat the incumbent.