Dissension in ODM as Raila Odinga endorses KTN reporter for Kuria West seat

Martin Oduor

October 31, 2016 12:07 PM

KTN’s Western Kenya reporter, Rashid Ronald, has received the blessings of Raila Odinga to vie for Kuria West parliamentary seat. And this isn’t going down well with other ODM aspirants for the same seat.

Cord leader Raila Odinga toured Migori County on Tuesday October 25 to have a chat with ODM party delegates. He was hosted by Migori Governor H. E Okoth Obado as well as MPs Hon John Ndiege, Hon Junet Mohamed and Hon John K'Obado.

Kenyans reports that KTN reporter, Rashid Ronald, was forced by residents to join Raila on the podium while he was speaking.

Apparently Rashid had been sidelined when all aspirants eying ODM ticket for Kuria West parliamentary seat were given a chance to speak to the public. Rashid joined the Cord leader to the podium and shook his hands; Rao then lifted his hands as they waved to the crowd together.

Media reports that Raila openly endorsed Rashid Ronald for Kuria West parliamentary seat has caused dissension within ODM.

ODM hopeful for Kuria West seat, Matiko Bohoko, has dismissed claims that Raila endorsed Rashid for MP; he says the Cord leader didn’t utter any word to say the KTN reporter would be ODM candidate for Kuria West come 2017 elections.

“Good people, supporters and well wishers, the social media in the last one week (since the ODM party leader attended a function in my constituency - Kuria West) has been awash with stories of baba having endorsed a colleague and close friend, Rashid Ronald to run for the same parliamentary seat am contesting. May i state here that I was present in that function. I was on the podium and was to speak last after Rashid and another colleague Maneno Mwikwabe who is running for the Kuria East parliamentary seat. I was to speak last by order of seniority in politics.Just before Rashid finished his story and after several times calling for babas attention, baba in company of others climbed onto the podium and shook his hands in ecstasy. He then raised one of his hands before bidding bye to the crowd (he did not utter any word). He then made it to his chopper and flew back to nrb. I was not shaken by babas action because I believe and confident that am the undisputed (unbwogable) ODM candidate who Will DELIVER a parliamentary seat in Kuria to ODM in 2017. Having been around long enough in ODM politics though, I do not rule out mischief and political shenanigans from ODM Kuria mandarins. However I want to state that politics of endorsement in Kuria never work. Party politics in Kuria also don't win elections. It's the individuals and their strategy that win elections in Kuria. If indeed he endorsed my buddy, I wish him well and welcome him into what is the vagaries of practical fluidity in the art of politics. Regards-Matiko Bohoko, MP Kuria West 2017.” Bohoko posted.

Martin Oduor