• Governor James Ongwae and Senator Sam Ongeri led the ODM party brigade Monday to woo voters to back their candidate.
•Malack Matara is the party's flag bearer.
Image: MAGATI OBEBO
Campaigns for the Kiamokama ward by-election in Kisii reached the homestretch on Monday.
Candidates made last minute efforts to secure victory in the mini-poll scheduled for Thursday.
Governor James Ongwae and Senator Sam Ongeri led the ODM party brigade Monday to woo voters to back their candidate.
Malack Matara is the party's flag bearer.
He is among a list of 10 candidates scrambling for the Ward seat left vacant in November 2020 after area MCA Kennedy Mainya died of Covid-19.
Other top contenders are Daniel Ondabu (Party of Economic Democracy) and Nyandusi Nyakeramba of UDA party.
Ondabu is a former county commissioner and is linked to the former Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Daniel Manduku who is seeking Kisii Governorship.
On Sunday during the campaigns for Ondabu, Manduku said they are assured of victory.
"We are on the journey to win..." said Manduku.
Ondabu would be banking on the backing of his larger Abanyamoyio and Abamobea clans to win.
He would however have to plough through two other candidates from the clan - Adams and Atanga in the countdown to the polls.
"It will be a tooth and nail fight," said Ondabu as he exuded optimism he will win.
Matara (ODM) will be banking on Omonyakoni. Nyandusi Nyakeramba of DP William Ruto's affiliate party UDA will be depending on voters from Momanyasicho clan to win.
Others are Nyakundi Nyamori, (Maendeleo Chap Chap), Dominic Nyangaresi (Kenya National Congress) and Jared Nyaega (Narc).
Also in the race is Charles Omwenga of PEP party and Vincent Gekone, an Independent candidate. Governor Ongwae urged voters to cast votes for the ODM party candidate if they want development.
For a week, his administration has been repairing roads in the area and opening up a few others as part of the last ditch efforts by the Orange Party to woo voters.
An access road to Ikarango Dispensary was also opened up Thursday.
It was launched on Monday by the Governor during the campaign trail.
Several boda boda sheds have also been constructed to help shelter riders and their passengers, said Ongwae as he drummed up support for Matara.
He urged voters to reject overtures by what he described as '' wheelbarrow people''.
County Senator Sam Ongeri said the election of an ODM candidate will be a primary test for the voters in the area.
The late Ward Rep Kennedy Mainya was in ODM.
Leaders met voters at Mwembe, Ikarango and Moremani. Residents asked the governor to undertake more infrastructural development and expand water piping to the villages.