Senator Ongeri lauds Bonchari voters for electing ODM candidate, calls for leaders’ unity
Kisii Senator Prof. Sam Ongeri says the ODM party's victory in Bonchari by-election is a major political statement on the position of the Kisii community in national politics.
Ongeri adds that the people of Bonchari demonstrated to Kenyans that they cannot be intimidated by police brutality when choosing their preferred leader.
Speaking to the People Daily on phone, Ongeri thanked Bonchari voters for electing Pavel Oimeke as their Member of Parliament.
“I honestly want to salute the people of Bonchari for the respect and trust they have and bestowed on us by voting for the ODM candidate as per our advice. They could have ashamed us by doing the contrary “ he stated.
According to Ongeri, Bonchari residents got the best leader to represent them in the person of Oimeke.
Ongeri challenged those who lost to respect democracy by accepting the results and supporting the winner in developing the constituency.
He also called for unity of leaders and residents of Bonchari following differences that played out during the elections.
“This political differences which came up because of the by-elections should be shunned off now that the elections are over” he added.
On allegations that interior CS Fred Matiangi using the police to intimidate voters in favour of Jubilee candidate Zebedeo Opore, Ongeri cautioned the security officers against being used by politicians.
“The security officers are supposed to play a neutral role but not taking sides as this plunge the country into chaos and bloodshed” he advised.
Ongeri, Kisii Governor James Ongwae and Woman Rep Janet Ong'era had a rough time with police while drumming up support for the ODM candidate.
They accused the security officers of intimidation and conducting necessary arrests on their agents and supporters in the mini-polls.
ODM candidate trounced both Jubilee and UDA candidates to win the closely contested by-election.
Jubilee candidate was second and UDA's Teresa Bitutu became third.
