Campaigns for Shinyalu, Bomachoge begin in earnest

By Allan Kisia and Kenan Miruka

Campaigns for Shinyalu and Bomachoge constituency by-elections have begun in earnest.

ODM and New Ford-Kenya are in a supremacy battle in Shinyalu. The respective party leaders tried to outshine one another at a public function at the weekend.

ODM deputy party leader Musalia Mudavadi and New Ford-Kenya MP Bonny Khalwale campaigned for their respective candidates.

Mr Mudavadi told the gathering ODM was a national party, which will spur development activities in Shinyalu.

"You should vote for a party that has a national outlook," he said.

But Dr Khalwale argued that New Ford-Kenya is the most popular party in Shinyalu.

Citing delays in the disbursement of funds for free secondary education, the Ikolomani MP said Kenyans were not certain about ODM and PNU.

"Free secondary education was a promise the two parties did not intend to deliver," he said.

Resign first

The two were speaking during the burial of businessman Isaac Lijodi in Shinyalu. Assistant Minister Manyala Keya and several aspirants were present.

The aspirants included Mr Justus Kizito, Mr Ambeyi Likabo, Mr Amutavi Bebetu and Mr George Murila.

Mudavadi also demanded that two councillors, Mr Danston Itenya and Mr Edward Shivembe, eyeing the seat should resign before campaigning.

"I want letters of their resignations on my desk very soon," he said.

In Bomachoge, aspirants have called for peace in the run up to the by-election.

Speaking during a funeral at the weekend, they asked their supporters to exercise restraint. The aspirants, who included former MP Joel Onyancha, Mr Simon Ogari, Mr Omweno Ombasa and Prof Zadoc Ogutu, were unanimous in calling for peaceful campaigns.

no need to fight

"It does not pay to cause chaos during campaigns. As aspirants, we meet in Nairobi and share. Why should you fight?" asked Ombasa.

Mr Onyancha denied claims that he had threatened other aspirants at an earlier function.

Mr Ogari, who with Mr Zephaniah Nyang’wara successfully filed a petition against Onyancha, cautioned CDF committee officials against campaigning for Onyancha.

"They should desist from campaigning for Onyancha. Otherwise, we will question their interests," Ogari said.

The national CDF management board has frozen the kitty over claims of mismanagement.