Nyakach parliamentary aspirant Johnathan Okoth Opande, popularly known as Mulla, has called on politicians and their supporters to embrace peaceful campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during his meet the people tour in Oriang area of West Nyakach on Saturday, Opande urged fellow aspirants seeking the parliamentary seat to focus on addressing the needs of residents instead of engaging in political violence.
The seasoned politician, who is considered one of the frontrunners in the race, said peace and unity should guide all political activities as campaigns gradually gather momentum across the constituency.
“I am appealing to all aspirants in this race to embrace peace, love and respect for one another. Elections should not divide our people,” Opande said.
He challenged community elders to remain vigilant and expose politicians who sponsor violence for political gain, warning that such actions could disrupt harmony in the constituency.
According to Opande, leaders have a responsibility to offer solutions to the challenges facing residents rather than creating tension through confrontational politics.
“Our elders must be on the lookout for politicians who bankroll violence and openly call them out. Nyakach deserves peaceful politics,” he said.
The aspirant also cautioned his supporters against attending political gatherings organized by his opponents with the intention of causing chaos.
He extended the same appeal to supporters of rival candidates, urging them to avoid disrupting his meetings.
He stressed that democracy thrives when leaders are free to engage with voters and present their development agendas without intimidation.
“I have told my supporters not to attend my opponents’ rallies to cause violence, and I equally ask supporters of my competitors not to come to my meetings to create mayhem,” he said.
Opande noted that political leaders should prioritize listening to residents’ concerns and finding practical solutions to their problems.
During his interaction with residents in Oriang, he said he had listened to several challenges affecting the community, including lack of school fees for needy students and inadequate infrastructure.
“When I sat here, I heard about a student who is out of school because of lack of fees. That is the problem I should help solve. I also heard about the need for a bridge in this area. Those are the issues leaders should focus on, not violence,” he stated.
The parliamentary seat is expected to attract intense competition after the current Member of Parliament, Aduma Owuor, signaled his intention to contest the Kisumu gubernatorial seat in 2027.
With the seat likely to be vacant, several aspirants have already expressed interest in the position.
Among those expected to battle for the constituency are Journalist Trevor Ombija, Nahason Agudha, Polycap Mburo and Dr. Joanes Atela.
Political observers believe Opande enters the race with an advantage owing to his long-standing involvement in community development initiatives across Nyakach.
Over the years, he has invested in projects touching various sectors, including education, youth empowerment and sports.
Recently, he was among organizers of a major fundraising initiative in Koguta aimed at supporting students joining secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities.
He has also sponsored football tournaments across the constituency as part of efforts to nurture and identify young talent.
Beyond education and sports, Opande has remained vocal on insecurity issues affecting residents, particularly attacks by cattle thieves.
He has repeatedly pledged to pursue decisive measures to enhance security if elected.
On the political front, Opande has maintained a strong presence within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), working closely with party members and supporters at the grassroots level.
Nyakach remains one of the constituencies with a strong ODM support base and well-established party structures, making the party ticket a key factor in the race as the countdown to the 2027 General Election continues.
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