Kisii Senator Chris Obure may have a big challenge in securing chairman seat in Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots elections slatted at the end of October following the latest declaration of interest by flamboyant Kiogoro MCA.
Senator Obure who is the point man for ODM party leader Raila Odinga is accused of failing to marshal support for the party across the nine Kisii county constituencies by holding regular meetings.
Speaking on Thursday at Kiogoro market, Mr Samuel Apoko said he was ready to take over the mantle from the veteran politician and challenged Mr Obure to back his bid.
“I have so much respect for my Senator but I think time has come for him to support youthful leadership. He can do that by stepping out of the chairman position race and support me. I am an active member of the party since 2005 and I think this is the right time to usher in new management without necessarily putting our party on test,” he said.
According to him, newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) whose support is being spearheaded by Bomachoge-Borabu MP Joel Onyancha was gaining support rapidly in the county due to inability of the party to intensify grassroots operations.
“JAP is gaining momentum in the grassroots first and we just keep on watching. The Senator as the chairman and governor James Ongwae (party’s regional secretary) are busy in their official portfolios. As an MCA, I will have time to revamp the party’s operations in the grassroots,” he added.
Mr Apoko is a fierce defendant of ODM party leadership and was arraigned in 2014 at Kisii Law Courts for allegedly insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta and was later on vindicated on the alleged inflammatory remarks about President Uhuru Kenyatta.