We’ll campaign peacefully, governor contenders vow

Several candidates for governor yesterday committed to run peaceful campaigns after they were cleared by the Independent Electoral and Electoral Commission (IEBC).

In Nakuru, Senator Susan Kihika in her address after being cleared to run for governor on the UDA ticket said candidates should engage in peaceful campaigns.

Kihika said all leaders have a responsibility to promote peace.

She exuded confidence to unseat  incumbent Lee Kinyanjui.

“I know I carry the aspirations and dreams of all Nakuru residents and I am hopeful I will clinch the seat in a peaceful environment,” said Kihika.

Kakamega’s Azimio-One Kenya candidate Fernandes Barasa said there was need to tone down negative rhetoric and smear campaigns.

“There is intense antagonism and blackmail going on in this county just because of Azimio and Kenya Kwanza politics,” said Barasa.

Issue-based

Taita-Taveta Governor Granton Samboja also called for peaceful elections after he was cleared yesterday to defend his seat.

Speaking after he was cleared, Samboja called for peaceful campaigns, saying there will be life after the elections.

“Elections will come and go but the most important thing is peace. Talk to your supporters and inform them that we need peace. How I wish that all candidates would focus on issue based politics,” he said.

Samboja expressed confidence that he will be re-elected.

His predecessor John Mruttu of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was also cleared.

Besides Samboja and Mruttu, others who have been cleared include Mwatate MP Andrew Mwadime (Independent), former Taita Taveta Senator Dan Mwazo (Wiper), Thomas Mwakwida (ODM), Faustine Mghendi (The Servant Party), Francis Mwaita (Safina), Agnes Mwang’ombe (ANC) and Godino Mwasaru (Independent).

Communications practitioner Patience Nyange of Narc is expected to submit her documents for clearance today.

In Homa Bay, Woman Rep Gladys Wanga was cleared to run for the county’s governor. She was cleared alongside her running mate Oyugi Magwanga by IEBC county returning officer Fredick Apopa.

Wanga, who is running against former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, said she was confident of winning the contest.

Six-piece

Kidero got the IEBC greenlight on Sunday to run on independent ticket.

Wanga vowed to make sure ODM candidates in the county win all the seats to ensure the party remains strong at the grassroots.

“We want to ensure all ODM candidates in Homa Bay are elected in the August election. This is the only way to strengthen the party in the county,” she said.

Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, who is seeking to dislodge his successor Anyang’ Nyong’o, accused the latter of abandoning some development projects initiated by his administration.

Degree query

In Kisii, IEBC cleared five candidates to vie for Kisii county governor’s seat, setting a stage for fierce political campaigns ahead of the August 9 General Election.

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati (ODM), Manson Oyongo (Kenya National Congress), Senator Sam Ongeri (DAP-K), Chris Obure (Jubilee) and Ezekiel Machogu (United Democratic Alliance) were cleared by County Returning Officer Samwel Korir.

In Mombasa, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir was the first candidate in the race to succeed Hassan Joho to be cleared.

Addressing the press later, the legislator asked his competitors to brace for campaigns like no other.

Concerning questions about his degree certificate, Nassir dismissed them as sideshows by his competitors.

—Reporting by Roy Lumbe, Noven Owiti, Dennis Lumiti, Robert Ochoro and Reuben Mwambingu