Inside Politics

ODM’s candidate Pavel Oimeke wins Bonchari by-election

Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 06:15 | By
MP-elect in Bonchari Constituency Pavel Oimeke receives his certificate from IEBC Returning Officer Benson Ambuko. PHOTO: IEBC Twitter.

ODM candidate Pavel Oimeke has won the Bonchari by-elections, confirms IEBC.

Returning Officer Benson Ambuko declared Oimeke the winner at the Suneka CDF hall tallying Centre.

Oimeke garnered 8,049 votes against his closest competitor Zebedeo Opore of the Jubilee party who had 7,279.

Oimeke is the mmediate former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) director-general.

UDA party candidate Teresa Oroo was third with 6,964 votes. She is the widow of the late former MP John Oroo Oyioka.

Bonchari mini-poll registered a turnout of 50.04 per cent. 26,526 voters cast their votes in the 113 polling stations out of 52,955 registered voters.

446 votes cast were rejected.

A total of 13 candidates wrestled each other for Bonchari by-election.

ODM, Jubilee and UDA candidates managed to be people's favourite as results showed a close range.

Other candidates performed as follow Onkendi Ondieki (1,374), Nyakeya Oigo (1,169), Oyugi Ogega (939), Keraa Mary Sally (161), Mogaka Ndege (143), Nyabuto Margret (132), Omanwa Victor (130), Atancha Jeremiah (112), Matagaro Paul (41) and Mosomi Kevin (33).

While celebrating the win, ODM Secreatry General Edwin Sifuna said the victory was a result of teamwork and courage.

"Congrats, ODM party Bonchari campaign team led by Governor James Ongwae, Janet Ongera, Bosire, Prof Ongeri, our MCAs who doubled as agents and our MPs for your immeasurable support. Teamwork and courage helped us surmount innumerable challenges. Oimeke it is!" he tweeted.

ODM's win comes in the back of a push and pull that threatened the integrity of the by-election.

Pockets of violence and voter bribery allegations were reported as those accused of giving voters money to vote in their prefered candidate were roughed up.

ODM had earlier in the day lamented over the heavy contingent of police officers in the area saying the officers were intimidating voters.

Party SG Sifuna expressed fears that police were being used to oversee election malpractice contrary to the law.

He also pointed an accusing finger at the chiefs and assistant chief in the area for bribing voters.

ODM reported that several MCAs who were acting as agents and overseeing the by-election for the party were arrested.

Among leaders arrested include Nominated MCA at Kisii County Assembly Hon. Risper Kemunto ODM (Deputy Minority Leader) has been arrested. She was one of the ODM agents in Bogiakumu Ward.

Hon Jane Justin, MCA Kisii County, and Riana Ward MCA Vincent Moisabi were also arrested. 

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