A contingent of officers led by their police boss last night raided Kisii governor James Ongwae’s home who was holding a political meeting with the ODM brigade ahead of the Bonchari by-elections.

The incident was brought to light in a statement by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Friday, May 14, claiming harassment over the Bonchari by-election in the region.

“The governor was at the time having a meeting with Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri and another county leader when the officers descended on his premise with guns and teargas,” Sifuna stated.

In the statement, Sifuna alleged that the police boss had been informed that an unlawful assembly was taking place in the governor’s residence.

Speaking on the incident, Ongwae stated that even though he preferred to steer clear of political chaos, the incident had shaken him.

“The intimidation by the police was unnecessary. It is clear that desperate times have led to desperate measures and I have been forced to speak out because the use of excessive force is not good for democracy,” he explained on the incident that occurred on Thursday, May 13.

The ODM party further noted that several intimidation tactics had been used by the police during the campaigns for the Bonchari parliamentary seat.

ODM picked former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director-General Pavel Oimeke to fly the Orange flag.

On its part, Jubilee chose former legislator Zebedeo Opore to battle for the seat.

The post Police Raid ODM Governor’s Home appeared first on Daily Trends.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has unveiled Teresa Bitutu Oroo, the wife to the late Bonchari MP Oroo Oyioka as its preferred candidate in the upcoming parliamentary by-election.

Johnson Muthama, the chairman of the party associated with Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday, March 25 announced that the party’s Secretary General Veronica Maina had issued certificate to the ex-MP’s widow to fly its flag.

The party also issued nomination certificate to Francis Muraya Githaiga, who will fly its flag in the forthcoming Rurii ward mini polls.

“Another significant day to @UDAKenya. Our Secretary General, Veronica Maina has issued certificates to Teresa Bitutu Oroo and Francis Muraya Githaiga to fly the party’s flag in the upcoming by-elections in Bonchari constituency and Rurii ward respectively,” Muthama tweeted.

Bitutu will now face off with ODM’s Pavel Oimeke and Jubilee’s Zebedeo Opore in the Bonchari by-election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission slated the by-elections for Garissa, Bonchari, and Juja on May 18.

The by-election for Rurii Ward in Nyandarua County will also be held on the same date.

The One Kenya Alliance will not participate in the forthcoming by-elections and will instead support candidates fielded by the Jubilee Party.

Members of the alliance, which brings together Kanu, Wiper, Ford Kenya and ANC parties, said the move was aimed at reciprocating the support Jubilee gave them in recent by-elections in Matungu, Kabuchai and Machakos.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula expressed gratitude to Jubilee for its support during the by-elections.

Wetang’ula said their victory in the concluded by-elections was an indication that the country was keen on a new transformational agenda.

Mudavadi said members of the alliance will move together to sensitise Kenyans about their agenda.

The post Bonchari MP’s Widow Teresa Bitutu Unveiled As UDA Candidate In Upcoming By-election appeared first on Daily Trends.

The resignation of an agency director to run for the vacant Bonchari Constituency parliamentary seat has triggered jitters in Raila Odinga’s ODM camp.

Embattled Energy and Petroleum Regulatory and Authority (EPRA) boss Pavel Oimeke resigned and announced his intentions to vie for the Bonchari MP seat in the upcoming by-election.

Although he has not mentioned the political party he will be vying on, there are reports that Oimeke might settle to run on Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

Oimeke told a local daily that he has kicked off consultations that will aid him to choose on the right party to vie on.

The seat became vacant after the death of John Oyoo Oyioka on Monday, February 15, after a long illness.

Media reports indicated that Oimeke had written to the Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter over his resignation. 

“I Pavel Robert Oimeke, would like to announce my resignation from the position of director-general at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory and Authority,” he stated.

Oimeke is embroiled in a graft case in which he is accused of demanding a Ksh200,000 bribe. It is alleged that Oimeke demanded the bribe in order to reopen a petrol station in Oyugis, Homa Bay county.

The petrol station had been shut down over tax violations. Oimeke denied the graft allegations even as the case continues to drag in court.

The former energy boss was appointed EPRA boss in August 2017 for a three-year renewable contract. However, this was contested over allegations of abuse of office and fraud.

This led to Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court stopping the renewal of Oimeke’s contract to allow investigations to continue.

The post Jitters In ODM As Powerful Agency Director Resigns To Join Bonchari MP Race appeared first on Daily Trends.