ODM promises mother of all campaigns in Ugenya

Four candidates have been cleared to vie for the Ugenya Parliamentary by-election as ODM promised to unleash the biggest campaign team ever to reclaim the seat.

Senior ODM officials said they will use all campaign tactics to ensure its candidate Chris Karan, whose election was nullified by the Supreme Court, is re-elected.

Siaya Senator James Orengo (pictured) who led a team of party officials in escorting Karan to present his papers at Sega township said the Handshake between their leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta had given them political impetus.

President Kenyatta's Jubilee Party announced it will support the ODM candidate.

"It will be a bruising campaign and all of us will be here to ensure Karan gets back his seat," Orengo said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has set the by-election for April 5.

Four out of the six candidates who expressed their interest for the set were cleared by the IEBC.

They include Karan, Daniel Juma of the Grand Dreams Development Party (GDDP), Brian Omondi of Third Way Alliance and David Ochieng of Movement for Growth and Democracy (MDG) .

William Sind, who was to vie as an Independent candidate, did not show up to present his papers.

Returning Officer Vincent Saitabau confirmed that Sind had pulled out of the race.

Candidate Joseph Mburu of the National Vision Party (NVP) was given until today after representatives he sent to present papers on his behalf did not fill the forms as required.

Mburu did not appear in person before the IEBC officials.

Orengo, who was accompanied by Siaya Woman Representative Christine Ombaka and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo said they will marshal the country party leadership and their counterparts from Jubilee to lead the campaigns.

"We are grateful for Jubilee, especially after they pulled out candidates from the Embakasi South and Ugenya races.They have shown goodwill to solidify the Handshake," the senator said.

Karan’s victory was nullified on December 2018 by the Supreme Court on grounds that it was marred by malpractices. Mburu who vied for Trans Nzoia Governor in 2017 said he has relatives and friends in Ugenya who support his bid.