ODM denounces reports that it has preferred candidates for elective positions in Siaya County
Reports that were published in a local daily, stating that ODM party has a predetermined line-up of preferred candidates for various elective positions in Siaya County ahead of 2022 general elections, have continued to draw mixed reactions.
The secretary to the party's Siaya County branch, Carey Orege, has denounced the reports saying that the Orange party leadership has never sat anywhere or held any secret meeting to agree on a line-up as alleged.
Orege said that the reports are not true, adding that as a party they are currently concentrating on matters of voter registration to ensure they help the IEBC to reach its target of registering over 105,000 new voters.
"The reports are totally false, we have not held any meeting to discuss preferred candidates for whatever posts,” Orege said, adding that George Okanda, who was quoted in the story, is not an ODM chairman for Siaya County.
"The intentions of Okanda are best known to him. The report is so dangerous especially now that we are doing voter registration," he added.
The Secretary, who stated that such reports can only lead to voter registration apathy, said that those are rumours that are being peddled by enemies of the ODM party.
He equally warned that disciplinary action will be taken on the aspirants who have been claiming that they have already been assured of direct tickets.
While speaking in the Senate last evening, Siaya Senator James Orengo whose name was mentioned as one of the ‘preferred candidates’ in the alleged line-up, also dismissed the report saying that he cannot be part of such an arrangement.
Orengo stated that he does not have a direct nomination certificate for for the county's gubernatorial seat, stating that he is yet to declare his candidature.
“I have not been assured a ticket by the ODM party to run for governor. I cannot be part of that arrangement. I want people to know like every Kenyan, they will elect leaders they want in whatever positions,” Orengo said.
