Editor's Review

City Lawyer Cliff Ombeta has announced his run for office in the upcoming March 18 by-elections in Bonchari Constituency.

Nairobi-based lawyer Cliff Ombeta on March 10, 2021, announced his parliamentary bid for the vacant Bonchari Constituency seat.

The city lawyer is seeking to succeed the late John Oroo Oyioka who died on February 15, while undergoing treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

However, Ombeta is yet to declare his political party ahead of the March 18 by-election.

"I am in the race for the MP's seat during the by-election. I am yet to declare my the political vehicle I will be using at the by-elections, but the fact is that I am in the race," Ombeta stated.


File image of Nairobi-based lawyer Cliff Ombeta. |Photo| Courtesy|

The city lawyer is expected to face tough opposition in the mini poll with a former MP and Oroo's widow both contesting.

Kisii County Jubilee Secretary Zachary Motari yesterday announced that former Bonchari MP Zebedeo Opore and Eric Oigo have both sought the party's ticket ahead of the by-election.

"We do not expect the candidate to be selected in the boardroom. It would disappoint voters and the party will end up losing the seat just like it happened elsewhere where unpopular candidates were cleared," Motari stated.

Oigo was Opore's National Government-Constituency Development Fund chairman between 2013 and 2017. This will be his debut in politics.

They are expected to go up against, John Momanyi, Geoffrey Mogire and David Ogega, all seeking an ODM ticket.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has thrown its weight behind late MP Oroo's wife, Teresa Bitutu to fly the party flag on March 18.

Leaders from the region including People Democratic Party (PDP) leader Omingo Magara, Kisii County Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, and Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri were engaged in a closed-door meeting at Deputy President William Ruto's Karen residence where they decided to back Bitutu.

"We have resolved that though Oroo was a PDP lawmaker, we will rally behind Bitutu on UDA ticket," Magara declared.

File image of Nairobi-based lawyer Cliff Ombeta during a past court session. |Photo| Courtesy|