Some ODM-allied governors from Nyanza want direct tickets for the 2017 elections to enable them campaign for party leader Raila Odinga in his bid for the presidency.
The four, Siaya’s Cornel Rasanga, Cyprian Awiti from Homa Bay and Kisumu’s Jack Ranguma also want their Migori counterpart Okoth Obado given a ticket too. Obado recently ditched the People’s Democratic Party for ODM.
“We are pleading with ODM leader Raila Odinga for the governors of Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Migori counties to be given direct ODM tickets,” said Rasanga who was quoted by the Nation.
The governors said the move would free them to be in a position to support Raila’s bid and also complete their development plans.
This is despite Raila Odinga saying that all aspirants will be subjected to a fair nomination contest to ensure only popular candidates get certificates.
Raila who spoke during his Migori County tour early last month said nobody should expect him to play favourites.
“I will work with those you will give me. We will have early nominations so that we have time to make a repeat in case of a problem,” said Raila.
He assured supporters that ODM will conduct nominations severally in case of any complaints to ensure that the people’s preferred candidates have their way.
Raila advocated for a six-piece voting pattern to enable ODM clinch enough seats in the region and the call for direct tickets has seen aspirants react angrily saying the governors have failed to implement their pledges.
“Blatant and shameless misuse of public funds by the current administration cannot be condoned,” said Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, who is seeking to oust Rasanga was quoted by the Nation.
“I believe an election candidate who is popular should not ask for a free ticket in a race he is sure of winning. Those are people who have sensed defeat,” said Gumbo.
Hezron McObewa who is spoiling for a battle with Ranguma asked the governors to present themselves for the primaries.
Awiti said their proposal was due to the fear that devolution is fairly new and replacing pioneer governors would destabilise counties and disrupt projects.