Campaigns for the South Mugirango by-election intensified at the weekend with the Ford People candidate denying claims that party patron Simeon Nyachae was backing his opponent.

“Nyachae is the party patron so any claim that he is supporting my opponent is false ...he has assured me of his support,” said Mr Manson Nyamweya.

Two other candidates also crisscrossed the area seeking votes for the June 10 by-election.

Former MP Omingo Magara, who lost the seat after a petition by Mr Nyamweya, addressed a rally at Riosiri market while ODM’s Ibrahim Ochoi was in Nyanchenge.

Mr Magara claimed that some senior ODM officials were buying votes from areas perceived to be his strongholds.

However, he did not provide any proof of vote buying and the allegations were dismissed by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

Mr Magara, who is vying on a People’s Democratic Party ticket, said areas where the vote buying was taking place were Esaka, Ayora, Eburi and Nyakeyo.

But IIEC coordinator Bonventure Obongoya said he had not received any information regarding the alleged vote buying.

Ready to elect

Ford People’s Nyamweya also said he had received information of vote buying and warned that outsiders had no influence in South Mugirango.

Speaking at Nyabera market, Mr Nyamweya said Mugirango voters were ready to elect a leader of their choice regardless of the influence by politicians within Kisii and other regions.

ODM’s Ochoi toured Magara’s home turf in Nyachenge and asked residents to elect him if they want to see change in the constituency.

Other candidates in the race include Abaga Sagero of National Vision Party and Narc-K’s Ezekiel Okengo.