ODM powerful move to use tech for Kajiado, Kisumu polls
The stage is set for today’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) primaries in Kisumu and Kajiado counties.
ODM will conduct primaries for the Woman Rep position, Nyakach, Muhoroni and Kisumu Central parliamentary seats and all wards.
Yesterday, National Elections Board Commissioner Syntei Nchoe (pictured) said the nomination exercise shall be above board and that there were no preferred candidates for the various elective positions.
Syntei said the exercise shall be undertaken through an electronic system, whose operation is controlled by board officials.
“We do not have any predetermined candidates as NEB. This is because we need to have the aspirants go for a competitive process to pick one of them as the best with simple majority votes,” Syntei said during a meeting with the aspirants.
She expressed confidence that the use of electronic gadgets will deliver a credible nomination outcome.
“We are convinced that the use of these gadgets does not allow anyone to tamper with the results. We only have our technical persons at the bureau operating the devices,” Syntei said.
At the same time, Syntei warned aspirants against instigating violence during the primaries, stressing that the culprits will be disqualified.
“We are telling our aspirants that they have a cardinal duty to keep the peace during the party primaries. Those who contravene the regulations will be disqualified,” she said.
The commissioner said the voting process shall commence at 6 am and end at 4 pm and shall be strictly done by registered party members.
The county tallying centre will be at Tom Mboya Labour College. ODM is believed to have given direct tickets to governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Nyando MP Jared Okello, Seme’s James Nyikal and area Woman Rep Rosa Buyu, who is vying for Kisumu West parliamentary seat.
Eight ODM aspirants
On the other hand, eight aspirants including ODM leader Raila Odinga’s sister, Ruth, former Kisumu city manager Doris Ombara, former Citizens Convention Party leader Grace Akumu and university lecturer Rose Kisia will battle it out for the Woman Rep position.
Others running for the seat are former Kisumu Lands Executive Judith Atyang, Central Seme MCA Sally Okudo, Beatrice Atieno and Valentine Otieno. 
In Kajiado, there were concerns among aspirants who claim the exercise lacks transparency and inclusivity. They are opposed to the decision of not having nominations in all five constituencies.
ODM party, through its NEB Chairperson Catherine Mumo, has already scheduled the Kajiado North constituency as the only region that will participate in today’s primaries.
Sub-county will have nominations for MP and MCA positions for three wards. Four other constituencies have been locked out of the exercise.
Agitated aspirants say they are ready for nominations and handpicking a candidate will deny voters their voting democratic right.
Aspirants eyeing various positions across the board say the party leadership has not engaged the team and no consensus has been reached.
Speaking in Kitengela, the aspirants demanded an explanation on how the party arrived at handpicking individuals.
They claim the individuals said to have already been issued with direct tickets are not popular and have not been campaigning for Azimio-One Kenya coalition presidential hopeful Raila Odinga.
“As aspirants who have been campaigning at the grassroots, we are ready for a free and fair process. We are not even aware of any consultative meeting seeking consensus among ourselves. We, therefore demand to be heard by the party leadership,” Douglas Okello, Kajiado East MP aspirant said.
This exercise instigated by the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) party intends to bring inclusivity to each and every member of the national party.
