ODM cancels nominations at last minute

dennis kibet

April 24, 2017 8:24 AM

Tough decision.

ODM leader Raila Odinga addresses supprters at Kirembe grounds in Kisumu countylast year.

The much awaited Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) elections for its strongholds of Kisumu and Siaya counties have been postponed.

On Monday morning, the party’s National Elections Board (NEB) announced that it had pushed the primaries to Tuesday, April 25.

In a statement by the NEB chairperson Judith Pareno, the decion was reached at as a result of “unavoidable circumstances”.

“The Board regrets any inconveniences caused to Aspirants and supporters,” Pareno said.

However the scheduled party nominations exercise in Migori and Homa Bay counties will proceed as scheduled.

The ODM primaries in Raila Odinga's strongholds of Siaya and Kisumu is seen as a make or break moment for several high profile politicians who are key allies of the party leader.

In Kisumu, the incumbent Governor Jack Ranguma will seek to defend his seat against prominent politician and Raila's close confidant Senator Prof Anyang Nyong'o.

The race to be the next Siaya Governor has attracted four strong aspirants; incumbent Cornel Rasanga, Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, former Regional Development PS Carey Orege and businessman William Oduol who are all seeking the ODM party ticket which in the region is seen as an almost sure winner in the August elections.

Raila has maintained he has no preferred candidates and will let the will of the people decide their next leaders.

dennis kibet