RUNDOWN
• Otuom Polo, an independent candidate in the South Gem Ward by-election has defeated ODM candidate Polycarp Wanga.
• Otuom Polo garnered 3,469 votes and his closes challenger Wanga had 3,353 votes
• Anyango called on the opponents and the county government of Siaya to work together with him.

Brian Chieng’ Anyango Obiero alias Otuom Polo, an independent candidate in the South Gem Ward by-election has defeated ODM candidate Polycarp Wanga in the hotly contested by-election held on December 8.

According to Gem Constituency Returning officer Ezekiel Juma Otuom Polo garnered 3,469 votes and his closes challenger Wanga had 3,353 votes propelling him to secure a five-year term at the Siaya County Assembly.

Addressing electorates who thronged the Aluor Primary school where the ward tallying centre was established, Anyango called on the opponents and the county government of Siaya to work together with him.

“I will be the MCA for all, those who voted for me and those who did not. To my worthy opponents, politics is over, let’s work together. I also appeal to the governor. I know I was not his candidate but because the people have decided to let’s work for our people,” he said.

Anyango now joins three other MCAs who beat all odds in the August polls to secure chances at the county Assembly through different tickets other than ODM. The MCAs for West Yimbo, North Gem, and East Asembo wards were elected on independent, Federal Party of Kenya (FPK) and United Democratic Movement (UDM) party tickets, respectively. The Orange party had anticipated getting the South Gem seat to add to the current 26 MCAs that it has. The election in South Gem was postponed after the death of the ODM candidate, Nick Wanga.

Even with IEBC clearing nine candidates, the race narrowed to a two-horse contest between the Orange’s candidate, Mr Wanga and Mr Anyango. The incumbent Mr David Audi shelved his ambitions to support Mr Anyango after his party, UDM shifted allegiance to the Kenya Kwanza coalition immediately after Dr William Ruto was declared the president-elect, slimming his chances of retaining his seat in an area believed to be supporting Mr Odinga.

The election was marred with violence; five people are still recuperating at Bondo sub-county hospital after two rival groups clashed at Kambare Primary School polling station.
The rowdy youths also stoned seven vehicles and temporarily stopped the voting exercise at Kambare polling station.

Otuom Polo’s win now leaves an egg on the face of ODM, given that the by-election was held in the home county the party leader Raila Odinga.

By Jane Kibathi