Jubilee candidate for Bogichora dies three days to polls

Jubilee Party candidate for Bogichora Ward in Nyamira County, John Onsomu Okebiro, is dead. Okebiro died today (August 4) at a Kisii hospital where he was admitted after suffering exhaustion which resulted from depleted levels of blood sugar, according to his sister Rose Nyanduko.

The MCA who was 72 years old and was amongst the front-runners for the seat which attracted 19 contestants.

According to the sister, Okebiro fell ill Thursday after attending a series of rallies in the constituency before he would be admitted to Ram Hospital.

She also confirmed that her late brother was also battling diabetes over a long time now.

“He had complained of being tired and he looked exhausted. We took him to hospital where he was admitted until when he passed on,” said Nyanduko.

Okebiro was nominated as a candidate for the ruling Jubilee coalition after a grueling duel with seven other contestants.

He is the second Jubilee candidate from Gusii region to die in a span of less than three weeks. Kitutu Chache Parliamentary candidate, Leonard Mwamba, died in a road crash along the Kisii-Oyugis Road mid July, prompting halting of Tuesday elections in the area.

Okebiro’s death would also mean that elections for the seat of MCA in the ward will have to wait until another candidate for the party is found to fill the void before the polls are conducted.

Story By Jackline Barongo