The Orange Democratic Movement party has accused the state of a scheme to rig the upcoming Bonchari Parliamentary by-election in favor of Jubilee candidate Zebedeo Opore.
This comes barely a month after Raila’s camp declined the Jubilee party’s request to withdraw its candidate from the Bonchari by-election saying that it will field its candidate since Nyanza is ODM’s stronghold.
In a letter by ODM’s executive director, Oduor Ong’wen addressed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) protested the alleged use of state agencies to campaign for Jubilee contender.
“We wish to register our complaint with the commission following a series of well-calculated, planned and executed systemic activities by a section of the state’s administrative and security agencies, whose overall import is to adversely influence a free, fair and democratic electoral process,” the letter read in part.
Ong’wen wondered why security agencies held a meeting with Zebedeo Opore who addressed all chiefs and Assistant chiefs who were all dressed in red, Jubilees party color whereas all other candidates were locked out of the meeting.
According to Ong’weni, the act by state operative to publicly rally locals to vote for Opore is against the Public Officers Ethics Act.
While confirming to have attended a meeting with Jubilee aspirant, Nyanza regional commissioner Magu Mutindika however dismissed ODM’s claims adding that Raila’s outfit might have sensed defeat.
He said the meeting held was purely based on security matters since he was introducing a new assistant commissioner who had been posted to Kisii County.
“I have nothing to do with what they are alleging. It is true I attended the said meeting but it was purely for security reasons and had nothing to do with politics or the impending election,” Mutindika told the Star Newspaper.
ODM is also protesting against plans to relocate the constituency tallying centre from the Suneka Baraza Hall to Igonga Secondary School saying the school is not gazetted to be a tallying centre.
ODM’s flag bearer Pavel Oimeke, former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority is expected to battle with Jubilee’s Zebedeo Opore in May 18.
The seat fell vacant on February 15 2021 following the demise of MP John Oroo Oyioka who succumbed to a long illness.
