•The MP is the immediate former Ford Kenya deputy chairperson and decamped to ODM a fortnight ago.
•Onyonka said he would not slow down soon if defending public resources from being plundered is what is driving his enemies to hunt him with poison.
Image: FILE
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Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka has said his life is in danger after an attempted poisoning during a political event on Friday.
Speaking on Sunday, Onyonka said an unidentified male at Ibacho in Masaba South passed a bottle of water laced with a poisonous substance during the rally.
“It was easy for one to forget to take extra precautions because I was thirsty and this could have turned fatal for me,” the MP told the Star on phone.
He said some forces were after his life following the stance he has taken in politics.
The MP is the immediate former Ford Kenya deputy chairperson and decamped to ODM a fortnight ago.
“There are some shadowy figures who are unhappy with the position I have taken on some issues, especially graft. These are the thieves I suspect are after me,” he said.
“I would not slow down soon if defending public resources from being plundered is what is driving my enemies to hunt me with poison.”
He said it could have been fatal had he drunk the water.
“It appears to have been laced by strong poison. Luckily I had only sipped it but found it tasting different and quickly spit it out,” he said.
Onyonka has since joined the Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati who is seeking the ODM ticket for the governor seat.
On Saturday, Arati asked security agents to step up the hunt for the suspect who wanted to kill Onyonka.
He said it was too early to speculate a political motive in the incident.
Arati said his team has since suspended the campaigns until one of the commanders recovers.
“Onyonka is a strong ally and a trusted commandant and we have unanimously decided to temporarily suspend further political activities until he recovers fully,” he said.
The hopeful’s running mate, Robert Monda, described the poisoning attempt on the MP as a sign of cowardice.
“This nothing but a desperate attempt by some quarters to intimidate us, they are scared and think that the only way they will defeat us is to silence us is through death. It is very unfortunate,” he said.
Similar sentiments were raised by radio journalist turned politician Donya Toto who is seeking the ODM ticket for the woman representative seat.
Former Kisii deputy mayor Samuel Omwando said they have received an intelligent report that some people have been deployed to trail Arati’s team and poison them.
“This incident confirms what we had been hearing all along, that some people are walking around town with poison to kill us. We are not going to be cowed,” he said.
Arati is among the politicians from the region, among them Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi that have shown interest in the governorship.
Others are Senator Sam Ongeri, Rachel Otundo, Omingo Magara, Manson Oyongo, Charles Matoke, Alfred Nyangweso and Chris Obure.
At least four candidates would be fighting it out for the ODM ticket.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris