[Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo in a past event. She has defended her victory in the recent ODM party primaries in her constituency. Photo/Nation]
Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo has defended her victory in ODM primaries and challenged lead opponent Jimmy Akali to run as an Independent candidate in August.
In fiercely contested elections, Odhiambo was declared winner with a margin of less than 1500 votes, a move that led to unprecedented chaos in the South Nyanza constituency.
And days after her victory, Ms. Odhiambo’s house in Mbita was torched by suspected supporters of Mr. Akali who had disputed the results.
“I am ready at any time to face him in the tribunal or even in the ballot. I won fairly and he should respect the voice of people,” Odhiambo said.
The outspoken legislator added: “Burning my house or using unorthodox means to silence me won’t work. The people of Mbita decided and that decision ought to be respected.”
But despite Akali’s move to challenge the election in the tribunal, his efforts were disrupted after the infamous men in black allegedly disrupted proceedings in Mash Park Hotel.
Ms Odhiambo was first nominated to parliament in 2008 before she successfully vied for Mbita seat in 2013.