Battle to replace Bonchari MP heats up amid claims of incitement

Claims of intimidation by the government have rocked campaigns for the Bonchari by-election ten days before residents pick their next MP.

The main candidates in the race to replace former MP John Oroo Oyioka who died in February are ODM’s Pavel Oimeke, former area legislator Zepedeo Opore of Jubilee and Terresa Bitutu of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. UDA is associated with Deputy President William Ruto. Bitutu is the widow of the late MP.

Jubilee appears to be pulling all stops to capture the seat left behind by Oyioka of the Peoples Democratic Party. There are reports that the ruling party has deployed government officers to campaign for its candidate.

ODM and UDA have criticised Jubilee over its reported deployment of chiefs and other administrators to steer its campaign ahead of the May 18 vote.

Last week, several ODM and UDA supporters were arrested during campaigns and charged in court for various offences. Those arrested include Riana MCA Ariemba Moisabi who was accused of assaulting an assistant chief.

Moisabi and the chief, Zepedeo Ntabo, had met at a funeral ceremony in Riana where they disagreed.

“The government has done an exemplary job for our people. There is every reason for us to vote for the Jubilee candidate. We have been instructed to deliver the seat and nobody should go against what we are saying,” Ntabo said, remarks that are said to have angered the MCA and some residents who felt the government was out to impose an MP on them.

And on Sunday last week, 15 UDA supporters were arrested and charged with holding an illegal political meeting.

At the same time, the Ministry of Interior, on May 3, announced the employment of four new assistant chiefs in the area, a move many belief is meant to entice residents into voting for the Jubilee candidate.

The new sub-locations created are Nyamage, Bomwanda Central, Bomaina and Keboye, spread across the constituency’s four locations of Iyabe, Bomwanda, Bomorenda and Bomariba West.

The announcement to create the new sub-locations was made on Thursday during an event attended Opore and Nyanza Regional Commissioner Magu Mutindika. It was during the event that Mutindika also announced the creation of a new division. He also introduced a new assistant county commissioner, Mr Wycliffe wafula.

It was the second meeting, since the campaigns started, Mutindika was holding in the constituency within a week. On Sunday last week, the administrator met assistant chiefs, chiefs and assistant county commissioners from the large Bonchari in Kisii South.

Jubilee and ODM have both decided to fight for the seat. The two parties have in some casess withdrawn from races in favour of each other. This was after talks to withdraw either the Jubilee or ODM candidate hit rock bottom.

On Friday, there were claims of a plan to rig the election. ODM Kisii branch secretary Henry Moracha called the police and local administrators not to take sides in the race.

“There has been harassment and intimidation, and UDA and ODM supporters have been the targets. The government should not use the by-election to split our people. We want a peaceful by-election,” said Moracha.

Bomorenda MCA Protus Moindi said no one should be allowed to spoil the peace the country has enjoyed since the handshake between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We have a few individuals who have imaginary powers. They have continued to misuse their offices for way too long. Let the electorates be allowed to choose whoever they want. We want a free and fair election.”

Kiogoro MCA Samwel Apoko, who was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket but is currently campaigning for UDA’s candidate, called on government officials he accused of engaging in politics, to allow residents to pick an MP of their choice.

“It is not for an individual to decide who will Bonchari’s next MP. Let us allow the electorates to decide on who is most suited to lead them,” Apoko said.

And while on the campaign trail, Opore said government projects in the area will not be derailed.

Opore dismissed claims that police were intimidating his opponents and their supporters.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Returning Officer in the constituency Benson Ambua said they are keen to deliver a free and fair election. “We will follow the law to the letter,” he said.

ODM’s decision to field a candidate in Bonchari is seen as Raila’s strategy to ward off UDA’s influence in Kisii and establish a foothold in the region. ODM does not have a member of the National Assembly Kisii and Nyamira but bagged senatorial, gubernatorial and woman rep slots in the last polls.

South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, who has been campaigning for UDA candidate, said: “We have set our eyes on the ball. There are those who think they can dictate to us. We will not allow anyone to derail a free and fair election.”

Oimeke and Bitutu are making their debut in Kisii politics. Opore has served as area MP for three terms.