ODM refunds Sh250,000 nomination fee to Kriss Darlin and other aspirants after Kibra primaries

Reggae DJ Kriss Darlin and eight other aspirants during the Kibra ODM party primaries have each received Sh250,000 from the Orange party.

The money was handed over on Monday following a closed-door meeting with party leader Raila Odinga.

The aspirants had a chance to deliberate with the party leaders over mishaps that took place during the party primaries and the party acknowledged that there were avoidable mistakes that occurred.

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It is during the meeting that Mr Odinga resolved to refund the Sh2.25 million the nine had paid to the party for the primaries.

The nine aspirants were named as Peter Orero, Ben Musungu, John Otieno, Chris Odhiambo (DJ Kriss Darlin), Tony Ogola, Stephen Okello, Brian Owino, Reuben Ojijo and Eric Obayi.

Raila's appeal

Confirming the report, Kisumu Woman Representative Rosa Buyu on Tuesday appeared on a morning talk show where she defended her party.

"ODM has been in the forefront, advocating for credible and fair party nominations. The ODM party has apologized to other aspirants in Kibra and has accepted to refund the KSh250,000 that they had each paid as nomination fee," she stated.

Though the party has denied reports that the former Prime Minister was furious at how the primaries were conducted, he is said to have been keen to encourage the aspirants to remain loyal to his party.

"Mr Odinga acknowledges that there were challenges in the nominations, with names missing from the voter register but those were not tailored or deliberately introduced to favour or disenfranchise any aspirant," a statement sent to newsrooms on Monday read in part.