By Betty Luke
Call for peaceful campaigns dominated the recent clearance of candidates to vie for various elective seats by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The candidates for MP, Woman Rep, Senate and Governor seats promised to exercise tolerance while popularizing their bid.
Chama Cha Kazi’s Osman Shariff Abukar seeking to dislodge Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha and who was the first to be cleared in Isiolo called for peace before, during and after elections.
“As I set out for campaigns, I appeal to our people to remain united and shun leaders propagating hatred,” he said.
Mr Shariff condemned May 29 clash between police officers and some local politician’s supporters at Isiolo town Catholic church gate and asked aspirants to contain their supporters for peaceful electioneering period.
Isiolo North KANU MP aspirant Abshiro Halakhe asked the electorates to vote out leaders using violence as campaign strategy and elect those with integrity and promoting peace.
Promising to end tribalism and favoritism in the constituency if elected in August elections, Ms Halakhe asked men to reciprocate the support they previously received from women by supporting her bid.
“It’s women who understand the challenges our people face. We should in the coming polls give women a chance to lead because leadership is all about action,” she said while exuding confidence that she will trounce the other 15 aspirants.
PNU’s Mwenda Thuranira said youths should refuse to be misused by politicians to cause chaos during the campaigns but be peace ambassadors.
He said residents should not fight each other for subscribing to different political ideologies because they will forever remain neighbours and “brothers”.
“I will prioritize harmonious living among communities, education for the needy, construction of chiefs offices and will also lobby for development projects such as water and roads,” Mr Thuranira said.
United Democratic Alliance’s Abdilatif Abdi Boru eyeing the Isiolo North MP seat vowed to engage in peaceful campaigns and asked his opponents to engage in issue based politics and verbal attacks.
Among the issues he will focus on, if elected, include youth and women empowerment and eradication of drug menace that has ruined lives of many youths in the region.
MP Hassan Odha said campaigns should be done in sober way for peace to prevail.
“We are calling for sober politics..my supporters do not abuse or insult people and we do not expect our competitors to insult us because we will seek legal redress,” Mr Odha said.
The lawmaker said he was confident of reelection due to his development track record that he said surpassed that of his predecessors Joseph Samal (seeking comeback on Jubilee ticket) and Dr Mohammed Kuti.
“Public funds were being siphoned and used to bribe voters but that ended immediately after I assumed the office. We have set a very good precedent that will in the long run transform the mindset of our people,” he noted.
He pointed out scholarship program that has supported more than 200 students as among projects that have transformed the lives of the electorates.
Mr Odha asked residents to evaluate track record, education qualifications and integrity of every candidate seeking to dislodge him.
A total of 15 candidates are seeking to become the next Isiolo North MP with only one, Ndembei Peter Njoroge locked out by the electoral agency after failing to get 1000 signatures required for independent candidates.
“One of the candidates withdrew after he failed to get the required signatures…He informed us through an SMS of his withdrawal from the race,” Isiolo North IEBC returning officer Jackson Limaris told journalists.
Isiolo Jubilee Party Woman Rep aspirant and former Education CAS Mumina Bonaya promised to abide by the IEBC electoral guidelines including undertaking peaceful campaigns.
“Our campaigns should be geared towards uniting our people. Let’s us be tolerant and respect each other as we sell our agenda to our people,” she told her competitors adding that there was life after elections.
After she was cleared by the County IEBC returning officer to vie for County MP seat, Nominated MCA Sumeya Bishar said her intent to dislodge incumbent Rehema Jaldesa was because youth, women, vulnerable and persons with special needs among other groups needed better leadership.
She appealed to Isiolo residents to elect her in the August elections promising to ensure inclusivity and adequate public participation to know the electorates priorities and that which would transform their lives.
“I will observe the IEBC guidelines during campaigns and ask my supporters to maintain peace. Elections will come and go and there is need for our people to remain united,” the DAP-K candidate appealed.
Others cleared for the Woman Rep seat were Winfred Kagwiria (UDA), Caroline Adapal (NO PEU), Milcah Kawira (TSP), Mumina Konso (DEP/BUS) and Nasibo Sora of ODM.
Five candidates were also cleared to vie for the Senate seat currently occupied by Fatuma Dullo who is seeking reelection on Jubilee Party ticket.
They are Nuh Mohammed (Independent), County Assembly Speaker Hussein Roba (KANU), Deputy Governor Dr Abdi Issa (PNU) and Lokitela Ikiara of Kenya Reform Party.
Dr Issa earlier said his quest for the seat was driven by the urge to ensure prudent use of county resources for improved livelihoods.
Four Senate aspirants: Kaaria Ken Mutuma (DEP), Khadija Hassan Guyo (UDA), Karama Salma Hassan (ODM) and Huka Adan Lokho of Usawa kwa Wote did not present their papers for clearance locking them out of the race.
Nairobi Majority Leader and Matopeni Spring Valley MCA Abdi Guyo (Jubilee), Former Governor Godana Doyo (Independent), former EACC boss Halakhe Waqo (ODM) Hussein Tene (UDA) and Kimaita Machuguma of Safina party were given greenlight to vie for Isiolo gubernatorial seat.
Mr Guyo and Mr Tene have vowed to undertake peaceful campaigns and asked their competitors to engage in issued based politics.
