BY PROTUS ONYANGO&DENIS ONYANGO, 23.12.2014
News that the Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) has settled on Moses
Kajwang' as their Senate nominee for Homa Bay County has drawn mixed reactions
from other aspirants. One of the aspirants, Philip Okundi, said the party's
National Elections Board (NEB) had been given adequate time to decide on a
candidate based on the criteria agreed upon by the aspirants and challenged the
party to think carefully about its decision. "If this rumour is confirmed
then I blame NEB for being partisan and having failed to come up with a
decision that respects the will of Homa Bay voters," he said. He added,
"The NEB had interviewed us and was to give us marks based on our general
performance. The party was also to conduct a survey to find out who the most
popular candidate was. I therefore appeal to the party leadership to stick to
the set criteria. I have been in this cause based on strong personal
convictions to serve the people of Homa Bay County and Kenya." Silas
Jakakimba, Raila's aide and an aspirant, expressed dismay at the reported NEB
decision. "We had all believed that the people of Homa Bay County would
have that opportunity to have a say in this process, but this was not possible
due to reasons that were well explained by the board," he said. Denied
opportunity See also: ODM taking too long to name Homa Bay mini-poll candidate,
complain youth leaders He added, "Until now I believe that if ODM National
Elections Board will critically bench-mark our abilities to deliver a win and
steer Homa Bay County to greater heights. There is no doubt in my mind that I
will emerge victorious even after the scientific survey to gauge ground
acceptability and popularity ratings." Jakakimba said he still had hope
the NEB would remedy the situation. "I've not received official information
from the board but in the most unlikely event that someone else, and in this
case Moses, has landed the party ticket, then I can only say that in the
party's wisdom, my friend has emerged more committed, and more loyal, to the
Change Movement and its leadership than the rest of us. Importantly, it must be
the party's position that Moses is more popular and will likely carry the
party's flag to success on February 12, 2015," he said. Dr Kenneth
Kambona, another aspirant, said he would abide by the party's decision but
called on ODM to be democratic in future nomination exercises. "As a
curious contestant, I went to Orange House because we were informed that the
party was to pick a candidate. I was however informed by the party secretariat
that the process had been pushed to tomorrow (today)," Kambona said.
"Our supporters are very anxious and they keep calling to confirm the
decision made by the party. NEB should expedite the process to enable us move
forward as a party," Kambona urged, adding that he was ready to abide by
the party's decision. Hillary Alila, who is vying as an independent candidate,
said he was ready to face ODM's flag bearer at the polls. "The party has
favoured Moses Kajwang' who only became its member three weeks ago. They denied
to accept my nomination papers but now they have given me more hope because I
am now facing a weaker candidate," said Alila, the chairman of the Kenya
Professional Boxing Association.
Innocent Masara, also running as an independent candidate, echoed Alila's
sentiments, saying the party should practise the democratic ideals it espouses.
"They denied us the opportunity for free and fair elections. We have gone
back to the people and we know what will happen. ODM will be defeated,"
said Masara. Other aspirants eyeing the ODM ticket include former National
Social Security Fund Managing Trustee Fred Rabongo, businessman George Mboya
and former Raila aide Caroli Omondi.
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