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Bomachoge acid test for polls team
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- Published on Thursday, 18 June 2009 06:16
Pundits have argued the battle for the seat will be between ODM and PNU.Onyancha says the timeline between now and the by-election date – August 27 – was sufficient."The time is not short. After all, campaigns take 21 days so there is sufficient time to prepare. The IIEC had to live by the 90 days after the speaker issued writs," he added.
Onyancha has also lauded the decision to use transparent ballot boxes."It is a good idea and we support it. However, the IIEC should do a new register based on the old register to avoid the challenge of a likely voter importation," Onyancha said.Former MP Zephaniah Nyang’wara supported the transparent ballot boxes but wondered how the IIEC would curb voter importation.
"My worry is voter importation. How will the fresh registration be done to avoid ugly scenarios? What about youth who got IDs after the last registration? The IIEC should come clear on this," Mr Nyang’wara said.
The former Kanu said the date was unnecessarily far as Bomachoge had stayed for long without an MP. "They should have set it for end of July. People are ready for the polls," he argued. Another aspirant, former Kenyatta University don Zadoc Ogutu, was sceptical about the transparent ballot boxes.
"It does not add value to the electioneering process. What is important is to streamline the exercise," said Prof Ogutu. So far, six aspirants have declared interest in the seat.Leading the pack is former MP Joel Onyancha who will vie on a PNU ticket. ODM MPs in neighbouring constituencies of Bobasi and South Mugirango will be keen to deliver the seat to their party as PNU battles to retain it. It will therefore be a bruising battle for the two political parties.
Intense lobbying
As Onyancha battles to defend his seat on a PNU ticket, Mr Simon Ogari and Mr Joash Maangi will vie on an ODM ticket.Intense lobbying is going on with Ogari and Maangi eager to get clearance from ODM.
Mr Albert Nyaundi is yet to declare his party of choice but he has close ties with Ford Kenya. Ogari and Nyang’wara, who jointly filed the petition against Onyancha, have joined the race but are yet to declare their parties. Mr Omweno Ombasa will also vie.
The seat attracted 28 candidates in the 2007 elections but this time, it appears, fewer aspirants will contest. Contrary to popular opinion, analysts say voter turnout will be higher this time. The constituency has 120,000 people with 70,562 registered voters as per the last election.
Analysts contend that the CDF will be a key factor in the voter turnout.They argue that those who feel left out in the CDF allocation will turn out in large numbers to change the situation.
Status quo
On the other hand, those who feel they have benefited from the kitty will turn out to fight for status quo. There are four clans in Bomachoge; Bokione, Bomachoge, Boochi and Bombaba.
Gucha County Council chairperson Phelister Metobo said the election would be about personalities not parties. "More people are now enlightened. They will want to assess what leadership credentials you have before making a choice. Above all, the general feeling is that of change," she says.
