By D, KNA
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared candidates to contest for Kasipul parliamentary by-election.
Kasipul Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku presided over the exercise in their offices at Kosele trading center.
The Orange Democratic Party candidate Boyd Were and Philip Aroko who is vying on an independent ticket were among those issued with clearance certificates. Others were Collins Okeyo of MDG party and Rateng’ Otiende of UPA party.
Speaking after being cleared, Aroko called for peaceful campaigns. “The people of Kasipul have many challenges, which I intend to fix given the opportunity,” Aroko said noting
peaceful co-existence among the people of Kasipul was paramount.
On his part, Okeyo stressed that they expect peaceful campaigns and expressed confidence of winning the race. “I am ready to capture this seat. We expect peaceful campaigns throughout this electioneering period,” he said.
Otiende said he is going to deal with priority areas in service delivery alleging the people of Kasipul have had a raw deal in terms of development projects.
“I am going to unite the people of Kasipul because we have had various problems which include discrimination, violence and other issues which impede on development. I am going to fix them,” Otiende promised.
He said if elected, he will also introduce a bill in parliament to ensure no Kenyan children from poor family backgrounds failed to access education.
“I will introduce a bill to consolidate all bursaries to ensure our children get free education,” he said.
Boyd Were promised to serve the people of Kasipul diligently to transform their lives.
“I appeal to the people of Kasipul to elect me. I am ready to work hard in serving them,” Were said and thanked the ODM party for supporting him though young.
“I thank the ODM party for opening leadership opportunities for young people,” Were said.
Meanwhile, a section of ODM party leadership launched Were’s campaigns in Oyugis town. The leaders included ODM deputy Party leaders Adulswamad Nasir and Godfrey Osotsi, the National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
Wanga said ODM leadership is going to work together in supporting Were to ensure the party secures the seat.
“We have agreed as a party to work together in supporting Were. ODM has confidence in him, he is the most suitable candidate,” Wanga said.
Sifuna said ODM will unleash it’s grassroots mobilization to deliver the seat.
“ODM is made of people from different communities. We are going to employ various campaign strategies, which will include targeting non-native voters,” Sifuna said.
Nasir said they were just beginning and that they were going to have many subsequent rallies until they win.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo, Senators Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay) and Eddy Oketch (Migori).