Ugunja: Eleven candidates have been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to battle it out for the Ugunja Parliamentary seat during next month's by-elections.
According to Kenya News Agency, five of the candidates, Benson Obol Otieno (United Green Movement party), Eric Ofiro (Jubilee Party), Vincent Olengo (Kenya Moja), Fredrick Ochiel (United Democratic Movement), and Oliver Ochieng' (National Liberal Party) presented their papers to the Constituency Returning Officer and were cleared on Wednesday.
On Thursday, six more candidates, Lilian Akinyi (National Alliance Party), Moses Omondi (Orange Democratic Movement), Orodi Odhiambo (Wiper Democratic Movement), Maurice Okumu (Liberal Party of Kenya), and Chrispine Oduor Budo (KANU) received the green light to contest for the seat.
Each of the candidates later planted a tree at the IEBC compound, symbolizing a commitment to peace. The candidates then proceeded to campaign, setting out in convoys of vehicles to hunt for votes.
Addressing the media at the IEBC offices in Ugunja, Commissioner Mary Caren Sorobit urged the candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully and encouraged residents to turn up and exercise their democratic right during the by-elections.
Sorobit emphasized the IEBC's commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible by-elections in Ugunja and other areas where elections would take place in November.
Addressing the public in Ugunja, ODM candidate Moses Omondi, accompanied by top party officials, including Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi and Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, called for peaceful campaigns. He encouraged his former opponents in the party nominations to join him in ensuring the party retains the seat previously held by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.