ODM leader with his brother Oburu Odinga at a past function. Raila has been been told that his endorsement of his favorite candidates during ODM primaries has been the main cause of voter apathy in the region. [Photo/Nyumbani TV]
Alego Usonga MP George Omondi has issued a stern warning to NASA leader Raila Odinga, telling the former prime minister to stay away from Nyanza politics.
The lawmaker said Raila was to blame for low voter turnout in Nyanza and other opposition strongholds, adding that his endorsements of candidates for various political posts in the region was not popular among the electorate.
The legislator, among the few bold MPs from Nyanza to openly criticize the ODM leader, said that Raila has to allow voters to go to the ODM party nominations and elect leaders of their choice if the political outfit is to get a large number of votes in the general election in August, Tuko is reporting.
Omondi said he intends to seek re-election through ODM, but warned of his readiness to decamp to another party should Raila’s interference lead to him being denied a chance.
Past ODM primaries have been marred by ‘Men in Black’ interfering and destroying voting material, property and causing chaos. This often leads to backroom deals on the allocation of party seats.
According to the MP, the ODM National Elections Board had interfered with party primaries in the last general election and that led to massive voter apathy, which made Raila lose in the presidential race.
Raila is expected to be in the NASA presidential ticket, and will go against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.