Ford-P gears up for ‘revenge’ in by-election

“He (Nyamweya) is very experienced. He has also gained a lot of support after the petition sailed through. We in ODM are aware of the threat he poses but we’ll do all we can to retain the seat,” he added. 

Ford People accuses the PNU coalition of “grabbing” its candidate during the Bomachoge by-election last year leading to the loss of its seat in Parliament.

Former assistant minister Joel Onyancha, who was elected on a Ford People ticket, had his election nullified following a successful petition.

Come the by-election and Mr Onyancha abandoned Ford People and instead sought to defend his seat on a PNU ticket, only to lose to ODM’s Simon Ogari.

Ford People’s argument is that Mr Onyancha would have easily retained his seat if he had not ditched the Nyachae-led party.

“Onyancha was a very popular candidate, that is why he was the only Ford People MP who survived the ODM onslaught in the area. He was just a victim of PNU’s unpopularity in the greater Gusii,” said a former MP allied to Mr Nyachae who requested not to be named.

Mr Obwocha, a former Cabinet minister, said Ford People had resolved to go it alone because of “PNU’s blind ambition” which had seen it lose in Bomachoge.

But Nyamweya of PNU dismissed Mr Obwocha’s accusation, saying it is Ford People and other coalition partners such as Narc Kenya and Safina that split Mr Onyancha’s vote, handing victory to Mr Ogari of ODM.

He said PNU coalition was ready to conduct a joint nomination for its affiliates to get one candidate for in South Mugirango be supported by all the parties.