- The legislator has announced his bid for Kisii gubernatorial seat and will compete with, among others, Women Rep Ongera and MP Arati.
- He said will ensure all development projects started by Kisii county government are completed.
Image: ANGWENYI GICHANA
Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri has called for peaceful campaigns even as he asked police to start monitoring hate speech ahead of the ahead of 2022 General Election.
Ongeri said there were already "some advance symptoms of hooliganism" which may fuel violence in the country in the countdown to the polls.
Deputy President William Ruto's motorcade was attacked by goon in Busia as he toured the border county on Saturday.
The incident has roundly been condemned by politicians. Nine suspects have already been arrested in connection to the incident.
And Ongeri now wants any sign that may lead to violence be checked before the situation grows out of hand.
"Concerted efforts should be concentrated on ensuring the gains we have made as a country in cementing peace are not watered down on the altar of the mischief by some people," Ongeri said.
Hooliganism is a retrogressive act that must be constantly monitored to keep the country safe from skirmishes.
"Let all of us say no to the vice irrespective of the parties we are in. By doing this we will be on the right side of history," Ongeri said.
The senator has declared he will be seeking the Kisii governor seat in next year's pools.
He said he has already asked his supporters to exercise restraint in the face of any intimidation from opponents.
"I hope my colleagues would pursue a similar path so that we minimise any ugly confrontations," he said.
Ongeri said he was ready to take over from Governor Evans Ongwae whose second and final term ends in August next year.
He further said he would ensure development projects started by the current Kisii county government are completed.
"This will ensure that our people get value for the projects. Once we cross the bridge, we will ensure they are completed and operationalised as soon as possible," he said.
Ongeri said he wants to contest on the ODM party ticket. He would however have fight it out with Woman Representative Janet Ongera and Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati.
Both lawmakers have also declared interest in succeeding Ongwae.
Others who are also seeking to become Kisii governor in 2022 are Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Nyaribari MAsaba MP Ezekiel Machogu, former South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya and ex-lawmaker Omingo Magara. All aspirants have lately stepped up their campaigns across the county.
Arati has been setting up ODM party offices in various subcounty headquarters in what is seen as an elaborate scheme to reorganise party structures.
Governor Ongwae, Ongera and Ongeri have since criticised the move. Ongeri said it was wrong for Arati to ignore the existing party structures as he sets up the offices.
"Every party needs order and this order cannot be actualised in an environment where such activities take place outside its norms," Ongeri said.