By James Libese,
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) met aspirants from Kakamega County on May 18 to address the issue of peaceful campaigns.
The electoral body convened the meeting with various aspirants to avert a repeat of the violence witnessed in the region during the fiercely held Matungu constituency by-election.
The aspirants in attendance included former Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale who is in the race for the senate seat, ODM’s senate aspirant Dr Brian Lishenga and aspirants for the Kakamega Woman Representative seat, Ms Elsie Muhanda (ODM), Hadija Nganyi (UDA) and nominated ODM Senator Naomi Shiyonga.
Kakamega County Manager Joseph Ayata said the meeting had been convened to discuss with the aspirants how to conduct peaceful campaigns during the campaigns in the region.
He warned that IEBC and security officials were closely monitoring the campaigns and will take action against aspirants fueling violence.
“All we have done is put in place the appropriate measures and continue to engage with aspirants to ensure they observe the law and avoid inciting their supporters to engage in violence,” said Ayata.
Kakamega region is one of the key battlegrounds in western region ahead of the August 9 elections.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance and Kenya Kwanza Alliance are locked in tough campaigns to clinch victory in the region.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is spearheading the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya campaigns while ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula will be battling to ensure they attain the 70 percent of votes in western.
Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have been tasked to ensure the region has 30 percent stake in the next government should Deputy President William Ruto clinch the Presidency.
As the campaigns gather pace in Kakamega County, memories of the violence which was witnessed during the Matungu by-election in March last year remain vivid among residents of the region.
Politicians in the region have mobilized youths who are accompanying them to campaign rallies as the political temperatures continue rising.
In the Matungu violence, voters in the constituency took part in by election following the death of MP Justus Murunga in November 2020.
Murunga collapsed in his rural home after complaining of chest pains and died while he was being rushed to hospital in Mumias town.
The subsequent by election, which was won by ANC MP Peter Oscar Nabulindo who garnered 14,679 votes was marred by violent campaigns pitting the three main parties – ANC, ODM and UDA.- which fielded candidates in the mini-poll.
Rival supporters clashed during the emotive campaigns in Matungu which had earlier been dogged by violence after criminal gangs, linked to the 42 Brothers, lynched homes and killed more than 20 people in 2019 and send several other families fleeing from their homes.
At the height of the attacks, the government was forced to deploy the dreaded General Service Unit officers and declare a curfew in the constituency as the crackdown on the criminal gangs was intensified.
By the time the government lifted the curfew, no suspects linked to the criminal gangs had been arrested and mystery of the 42 Brothers remains unresolved to date.
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