Stakes raised as quartet vow to stay out of ODM
Eyes are once again trained on constituencies in South and Central Nyanza that have for a while not delivered to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), despite being the dominant party.
ODM is led by Raila Odinga, one of the leading presidential candidates in the 2022 race. Kisumu West, Kisumu East, Ugenya and Muhoroni have recently emerged as home to mavericks who have successfully swam against the ODM’s tide in recent elections.
The four seats are occupied by Olago Aluoch (Kisumu West, Ford Kenya), Shakeel Shabbir, Kisumu East, Independent), David Ochieng (Ugenya, Movement for Democracy and Growth) and Onyango K’Oyoo (Muhoroni, Ford Kenya). Olago and K’Oyoo were elected on Ford-Kenya in the last two elections and are said to be contemplating to continue with the same as they look to retain their seats on other parties other than ODM.
Shakeel Shabbir has also been voted twice as an independent candidate. Ochieng was re-elected on the relatively unknown Movement for Democracy and Growth, (MDG) during a by-election in 2019 occasioned by nullification of the 2017 results.
Ochieng decamped from ODM in 2017 despite being elected through it in the 2013 elections. With election date drawing close, ODM luminaries in the region are now piling pressure on the politicians to return to the fold saying it was time to consolidate Raila’s votes in the region as he seeks the presidency.
However, the four have vowed not to return to the party although they support Raila’s presidential bid. Kisumu ODM co-ordinator, Ayiecho Olweny, said they want everybody to board Raila’s Azimio la Olago Aluoch, Shabbir, Ochieng and K’Oyoo set to defend their seats in current political parties Umoja train, saying it was the ODM leader’s wish.
“It is our wish that we all unite and support Raila’s unity drive and to consolidate votes in the Nyanza region. Raila’s interest is to woo them back to his fold,” he said. But even so, the leaders who rode to victory on their own strength last time say they will still support Raila but away from ODM.
Shabbir, who is defending his seat as an independent candidate, said he will defect to either ODM or any new outfit.But he was quick to clarify that he will support Raila’sAzimio la Umoja Movementand his fifth bid to be President. “I am going to defend my seat as an independent candidate,’’ he disclosed.
Beat ODM candidate Shabbir beat ODM’s candidate Nicholas Oricho in the last elections. Oricho is preparing to face Shabbir once again on ODM.
Apart from them, Job Ndege and James Mwamu are also eyeing the seat. Olago and Ochieng, both lawyers, have also declared support for Railabut affirmed their quest to defend their seats on different parties.
They said they do not want to be subjected to ODM nominations that are often marred by rigging claims and favouritism. “I am defending my seat on Azimio la Umoja umbrella.
I am not ready to face anyone in the party primaries, I would rather we meet at the ballot directly,’’ said Olago, who has joined the new Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) associated with Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa and led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi.
Raila has repeatedly assured aspirants of the party’s readiness to hold free and fair primaries. Equally, the Orange party has dismantled the previous elections board, widely blamed for bungled party primaries and appointed a new team.
The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) is now headed by Professor Catherine Mumma. Olago’s opponents are likely to be former Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman John Awiti who stood on ODM in 2017.
Others are Kennedy Obiero, who ran on an independent ticket, Geoffrey Dienya (Amani National Congress) and Joram Abayo, (Jubilee Party). In Ugenya, Ochieng founded MDG following his defection from ODM after he was accused of disloyalty.
Now, he says he supports Raila for President, but wants ODM to let the people vote freely for other seats.
