Zebedeo Opore to fly Jubilee Party flag in Bonchari by-election
Politician Zebedeo Opore speaks after winning the Bonchari MP race in 2014, when he vied on a Ford People party ticket.
Former Bonchari member of Parliament Zebedeo Opore will fly the Jubilee flag in the by-election set for May 18.
Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe said Monday that the party had resolved to field a candidate for the contest.
"We will have Opore fight for the parliamentary seat on a Jubilee ticket," said Mr Murathe.
The Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) scheduled the by-election after the death of MP Oroo Oyioka of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Fake letter
There had been claims that Jubilee would not field a candidate in Bonchari.
The claim was in a letter whose origin remains unknown, which was widely circulated on social media on Tuesday morning.
Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju described the letter as "very fake" and reiterated that Mr opore will vie for the Bonchari parliamentary seat on a Jubilee ticket.
Mr Tuju has written to IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati asking him to clear Mr Opore for the race.
"Pursuant to Article 11 of the Party Constitution, that rests the final powers of the nomination with the National Executive Committee (NEC) in collaboration with the National Elections Board (NEB), the party has nominated Zebedeo John Opore as the candidate for member of National Assembly for Bonchari," he said in a notice to Mr Chebukati.
He said he had submitted support documents including a Form 11K.
Other parties
PDP, which is headed by Omingo Magara, said it will not field a candidate in Bonchari but will support the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Jubilee, ODM and UDA will square it out in the mini poll in the constituency in Kisii County.
ODM’s candidate in the race is Pavel Omieke, the former director-general of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra).
"The fielding of candidates by ODM and Jubilee will not scuttle the handshake because none of the two parties held the seat. It is up for grabs," said Mr Murathe.
Ms Teresa Bitutu, who is Oyioka’s widow, will fly the UDA flag.
Other candidates in the race are Victor Omanwa of the Party of Economic Democracy, Charles Mogaka, Douglas Ogari and Onkendi Ondieki.
