Joel Onyancha blasts IEBC for tribulations after recapturing Bamachoge Borabu seat

By KENAN MIRUKA

Bamachoge Borabu parliamentary by-election winner launched a scathing attack on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission moments after recapturing the seat he lost through a petition.

Joel Onyancha, who vied on The National Alliance (TNA) ticket, blamed IEBC for lethargy and administrative problems, which he said occasioned the by-election.

“We have gone through two by-elections due to administrative problems by IEBC and our people are not happy about this. My rivals should know that I will not be an MP forever so let’s make a new beginning because their time will come,” he said.

He recaptured his Bomachoge Borabu parliamentary seat in a tightly contested by-election held on Thursday. Onyancha polled 10,483 votes, narrowly beating his closest challenger, ODM’s Peter Kimori who garnered 10,052 votes in an election marred by low voter turnout. Returning Officer Gilbert Serem declared Onyancha the winner shortly after 3am on Friday, sparking frenzied celebrations among supporters at the Magena High School tallying centre.

Ford People’s Albert Nyaundi came third with 3,325 votes while United Democratic Front (UDF)’s Josiah Maaga polled 502 votes.

Christmas gift

The seat fell vacant following a poll petition filed by Kimori and Nyaundi after the March 4 elections.

 “This is a Jubilee Christmas gift to Bomachoge Borabu residents who deserve a new beginning. I thank my supporters and family for standing by me through this tribulation. I urge my rivals to work with me and learn from this painful experience that we should devise a better system of resolving disputes without heading to courts,” said Onyancha.

In a veiled criticism of the IEBC, Onyancha said he hoped this time round, the ballot paper counterfoils were placed in their respective boxes to avoid more court battles.

It was a big win for the Jubilee alliance in the Gusii region considering the spirited campaign by their Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) rivals to capture the seat.

Kitutu Chache North MP and Jubilee pointman in Kisii Jimmy Angwenyi described the victory as symbolic and a pointer to the direction the region was taking politically.

“This win goes to show that the Kisii people want to be in government where their welfare can be catered for. Our opponents should join hands with us and help address the development challenges facing the region,” said Angwenyi.