The Bonchari by-election in May saw Interior CS Fred Matiangi and ODM party leaders from Kisii led by Governor James Ongwae and Senator Sam Ongeri clash while campaigning for their respective candidates.
Whereas ODM clinched seat when its candidate Peivel Oimeke was elected, the cordial relationship between the party and Dr. Fred Matiangi was destroyed after he was accused of using the police to mete brutality on the orange party supporters in his bid to try to force a win to the Jubilee Party candidate Zebedeo Opore.
On Thursday, ODM leader Raila Odinga met with the Abagusii leadership in Nairobi to discuss the Bonchari events as well as burry the hatchet between the top leaders.
”Discussed matters of national interest and the development of the Nyanza region at a working lunch hosted by Leaders from the Gusii community led by Interior Cabinet Secretary @FredMatiangi and Governor @JamesOngwae,” the ODM leader tweeted after the meeting.
On May 18th, Raila Odinga condemned the Interior Ministry for abusing their powers in the Bonchari and Juja by-elections and arrogantly displaying impunity through individuals he described as ‘overzealous and bellicose government functionaries.’
“An election process is an opportunity for the voters to express their will at the ballot and not an avenue to pursue imaginary and short-legged political interests. Security forces exist to serve the people and not the interests of those out to conduct political experiments.”
Raila at that time, told the regime peaceful co-existence post-2018 must not be taken for granted by some rogue elements wanting to confuse the handshake for an excuse to erode the country’s hard-earned liberties.
Those present at today’s meeting were Interior CS Fred Matiangi, Kisii Governor James Ongwae, Senator Sam Ongeri, Woman Rep Janet Ongera, Minority Whip Junet Mohammed, Transport CAS Chris Obure, ODM Treasurer Timothy Bosire among others.