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Mugirango Hopefuls Intensify Campaigns

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Published on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:50

SOUTH Mugirango parliamentary hopefuls stepped up their campaigns at the weekend. The aspirants used funerals and meetings with supporters to solicit for votes even though the programme for the by-election has not been announced by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

The campaigns are however peaceful unlike previous election periods that were characterised by violence. Speaking during the burial of Jason Mochama, 98, aspirants Rashid Minyong'a of PNU, Abaya Sagero of NVP and ODM's Ibrahim Ochoi and Kepher Marube asked their opponents to campaign freely in the constituency.

"The culture of people hiring youths to heckle their opponents should be stopped because it is primitive and does not have a place in modern society," said Ochoi. "I allow my opponents to come and campaign in my home and I expect the same from them," added the former high school principal. Ochoi said ODM will carry out free and fair primaries contrary to demands by a section of ODM leaders that immediate former MP Omingo Magara be given direct nomination.

Sagero said the area will remain undeveloped if people continue to elect their MP on the basis of clan. "We should discard clannism which is very prevalent here and has been the biggest undoing for us," he said.

Speaking separately, Henry Ogeto of ODM asked the constituents to vet aspirants and reject those who will give them cash handouts. Miyonga said PNU affiliate parties will carry out nominations under the party and whoever emerges winner will get the support from losers. "Some aspirants are claiming that they are the sole PNU candidate, if PNU makes a mistake to give direct nomination, we shall tell you where to vote," said Miyonga, the South Mugirango PNU chairman.

Ford People elections coordinator James Kenarii said the party was in talks with PNU affiliate parties to allow them field a candidate. "We are almost agreeing on fielding one candidate from the PNU coalition. We are not ready to make the same mistake we made in Bomachoge," said the former Kenya Pipeline chairman. Miyonga alleged that identity cards were being given out selectively.