Elective positions are not a privilege of a select few hence the need for all interested candidates to be accorded opportunity to solicit for votes in a tranquil environment, former police spokesman, Charles Owino has said. Owino lamented that some politicians with a feeling of entitlement were trying to intimidate their potential opponents, adding that the trend must stop lest it waters down an important milestone in the political history of Africa where a sitting president is supporting an opposition leader to take over the mantle of leadership. “We call upon each and every Kenyan to come up and support us in this important occasion” said Owino while addressing mourners at Lifunga Kobiero village in Ugenya Sub County during the burial of the late mzee Kamulus Owiye Olong’o, 89 years. The deceased was the father to Chris Owiye, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission manager in charge of investigations. “Nobody is entitled for this position and therefore, we must calm down and ask for votes peacefully” said Owino who has declared interest in the Siaya governor’s position during the next general elections.
The former police spokesman at the same time called on elected leaders and political aspirants to help mobilise the youth to acquire identity cards and register as voters in readiness for the next polls. He said that as part of the efforts to ensure that more people participate in the 2022 general elections, he, together with other like-minded individuals, will kick off a “Kipande drive” next month. The drive, he added, will run for five months, targeting the youth who have not acquired identity and voters cards. The burial was also attended by former Ugenya MP, Chris Karan, Siaya county assembly speaker, George Okode and a host of political aspirants.