BUNGOMA COUNTY. Ten women aspirants have been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to vie for the seat of Woman representative in Bungoma County.
The ten including the incumbent Dr. Reginalda Wanyonyi had two days to present their relevant papers and documents before the Bungoma county returning officer BilhaTulgen at the Bungoma regional offices of the commission.
None of the aspirants was turned away as three of the women were cleared on Tuesday while seven were cleared on Wednesday.
Those who were cleared on Tuesday included Hellen Nangekhe Maindi of Maendeleo Chap Chap, Sween Khayanga Nyongesa of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Margaret Toili of NARC Kenya.
Those who presented their nomination papers before the Commission on Wednesday, which was the second and last day set aside for them to present their papers, included Dr.Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi of Jubilee, Catherine Wambilianga of Ford Kenya, Jackline Nyongesa of LPK, Antonina Sangura of UDP and Kellan Wabomba of ANC together with Conny Wakwabubi who is vying on an independent ticket.
Speaking to journalists after each of them was cleared, they all showed confidence that they will emerge the winners of the contest as they cautioned IEBC to ensure the elections are free and fair to each contestant.
“We are calling upon IEBC to ensure that they hold a free and fair election such that whoever wins or loses accepts the results because they are fair and conducted in a free environment other than announcing a winner who did not win,” said Margaret Toili after she was cleared.
Wambilianga also added that this time round the candidates shall not entertain any kind of rigging in favour of any candidate noting that her Ford Kenya team in NASA have put in place machinery to guard their votes.
The candidates further called upon security agents to ensure that each of the candidates is assured of their security regardless of their political affiliations.
They also called upon each other to engage in peaceful campaigns and stop clashing as each of them moves around to seek votes from the electorate.
“I am calling upon my fellow candidates to engage in peaceful campaigns and sell their policies and manifesto to the electorate other than bringing about divisions among the voters because I know they will vote for me based on what I have done for them,” said Dr. Wanyonyi.
Others exuded confidence they’ll winners to unseat the incumbent whom they said has been an absentee MP who just came back to seek for votes.
Sween Khayanga and Hellen Nangekhe said that the incumbent did not understand her role as a member of the national assembly representing women and has been away from the electorate only to come back when next elections are near.
The electoral commission that has so far received nomination papers from members of the county assembly, senators and now the women representative aspirants. On Thursday and Friday, they’re expected to receive nomination papers from members of the national assembly at constituency level and the Governors at County level.
