Migori County has today gone to the ballot to elect a new Senator three months after the death of Migori Senator, Ben Oluoch, who succumbed to throat cancer.
The heavily contested elections had the opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga touring the county campaigning for ODM’s party candidate Ochillo Ayacko, urging voters to be loyal to the party. The by-election will define ODM’s political mirage and Raila’s political matrix.
Raila, who was previously a major critic of the Jubilee Government seems to have softened his stance following the famous handshake that saw the NASA coalition broken as his move to get into an agreement with the ruling party caught his fellow partners, namely Wetangula, Kalonzo and Mudavadi off-guard.
The Poor voter turnout was probably a sign of disappointment from the Migori residents who have had to deal with a number of tragedies in the last few months.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Officials, however, attributed the low voter turnout to the fact that it was a workday.
The voting comes as Migori County Governor Okoth Obado and his two aides, Micheal Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, attended a ruling at the Milimani Law Courts of his bail application. Governor Obado is faced with two counts of murder where his is accused of masterminding the murder of Sharon Otieno and that of their unborn child. Governor Obado was proven to be the father of Sharon’s unborn child despite being married and Sharon being of similar age to Obado’s children.
Sharon, a mother of two had separated from her husband, whom she had sired two children with before developing a relationship with the County’s Governor which led to her untimely death and that of her unborn child.
Obado and his two aides were ordered by Justice Jessie Lesiit to remain in custody over the case as High Court set the bail hearing for Friday, 12th October, so that the cases can be merged.
As anxiety engulfed Migori county and tight security laid vigil during the by-election, it is yet to be seen who voters will entrust the senatorial office with and whether loyalty to themselves, their needs and to the next generation will guide their decision and not party politics.