2002 Elections
Electoral Commissioin Clears Candidates For Jan 12 By-Elections
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 00:26
In Kapenguria, a former MP, Mr. William Sindano (Ford-K), and local Knut branch secretary Samwel Moroto were cleared to run for the seat on January 12.
Mr. Sindano, accompanied by Kwanza MP Dr Noah Wekesa, was the first to be cleared by Returning Officer Sylvester Biwott. Mr. Moroto, the Kanu nominee, presented his papers at 11 am. He was accompanied by a loser in the Kanu nominations, Dr Michael Parklea.
In South Mugirango, seven candidates were cleared. Among them was a Kanu councillor, Mr. Joel Makanga, who defected to Ford People after his bid for the Kanu nomination was rejected.
Two aspirants, Ms Rose Nyachoka Okemwa and Mr. Zedekia Oriuki, were turned away after presenting two clearing letters from the same party, the Labour Party of Kenya.
Among those cleared by the returning officer, Mr. Stephen Miriti Muguna, was a former assistant minister, Mr. Reuben Oyondi (Social Democratic Party).
A Kisii-based advocate, Mr. Samson Mauti Sawe, will vie on the National Labour Party's ticket while a former area MP, Mr. David Ondimu Kombo, was cleared on a Kanu ticket.
The others are the former area MP Enock Magara's brother, Mr. James Omingo Magara (Ford Kenya), Mr. Charles Orenge and Mr. Ezekiah Ogao Abuya (Kenya National Congress and Reform Party of Kenya respectively).
The exercise held at Pokot county council was also attended by the Kapenguria mayor Christopher Lonyala, former Sigor Mp Phillip Rotino, Pokot county council chairman David Moiben and former Kapenguria mayor Jacob Samuli.
Addressing the Ford-K supporters immediately as Mr. Sindano had presented his papers, Dr Wekesa said that his party was determined in capturing the seat left behind following the death of cabinet minister Francis Lotodo.
Dr Wekesa said that time had come for the Pokots to use secret ballots when voting to ensure they elect a leader who will defend the community's right just as the late Lotodo did.
He observed that the Pokots had not been given opportunity to elect to elect a leader through balloting since all their past MP s have been going to parliament un opposed.
He however appealed to the provincial administration in West Pokot to provide enough security to all candidates saying the wanted a peaceful campaign without any difficulties.
Mr. Sindano in his address appealed to the Pokots to give him a chance to complete development projects left behind by the late Lotodo saying that he had decided to join Ford-K after realising that Kanu could not accommodate democratic changes.
He further appealed to other Ford-K MPs and friends of the party to assist him during this campaign period saying Pokots were tired of the Kanu government.
Speaking after presenting his papers, Moroto vowed to recapture the Kapenguria seat and said that he had been mandated by Pokot elders to seat into the shoes of the late Lotodo adding that the area was a Kanu zone and Ford-K should stop dreaming that they will ever get the seat.
Moroto who was also cheered throughout his speech saying upon going to parliament he will ensure that the rights of the Pokots comes first.
