Raila Odinga with his older brother, Oburu Oginga. Photo: nation.co.ke
Bondo Member of Parliament Gideon Ochanda has said he will not shelve his re-election bid and back Nominated MP Oburu Oginga.
The MP said there were attempts to push him out of the parliamentary race and have him be Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga’s running mate in the August general election.
“I can confirm to you that I have been approached by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and Nyando MP Fred Outa to drop my bid for Oburu in exchange for a running mate’s slot. But I cannot buy such an idea because there is no guarantee that I will get the slot and I am also not interested in taking other people’s positions,” Ochanda said, as quoted by daily Nation.
The lawmaker termed the proposal as “suicidal”.
However, Wandayi and Outa denied claims by Ochanda that they were pushing him to step down for Raila Odinga’s older brother.
“As a national party official, I cannot be involved in individual political aspirant’s campaigns. I must remain neutral and stay above the fray,” said the ODM Director of political affairs.