There’s no doubt that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is the major political Party in the Nyanza region.
Getting the party’s ticket during nominations is akin to winning an MCA, MP, Senator, Woman Representative or Governor’s seat in the general elections.
But Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir defeated all odds, including ODM’s wave in Kisumu East Constituency to retain his seat on an independent ticket during last year’s general elections.
He defeated his closest opponents; ODM candidate Nicholas Oricho and former Jubilee nominated Senator Joy Adhiambo Gwendo. During ODM primaries, Oricho defeated Shabbir.
The MP claimed to have been rigged out, and could not hide his joy after beating Oricho to recapture the seat in August.
“I owe my victory to the people of Kisumu East. They once again proved their trust in me despite the shambolic ODM nominations under some party officials in Nairobi. I still share ODM ideals and want to assure my people that I will stand with the party and leader Raila Odinga,” he said then.
“Raila brought me from nowhere because he had trust in me. I want to say that I am not a chameleon to turn my colour. I will work with him and his party,” he said of ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
The 61 year-old former Kisumu Mayor, first become Kisumu East MP in 2007. He ousted Gor Sungu.
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