[ODM leader Raila Odinga in a past function. He has apologized to party supporters over shambolic ODM nominations. Photo/Nation]
Barely a month after Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party held its primaries, opposition leader Raila Odinga has spoken about an exercise that led to hundreds of defections from Kenya’s arguably oldest party.
In a sign of protest, top aspirants walked out of the party accusing the National Elections Board of mismanagement of party nominations.
Although the party had set a dispute tribunal, a number of aspirants either walked out of the party or went to courts to challenge the outcome.
But on Saturday, a remorseful Odinga apologized to party supporters but challenged them to stand with ODM candidates.
“ODM learns from mistakes because we are not perfect. We may have not done nominations to your expectations but I am sorry about it,” he said in his Siaya backyard.
Odinga, who is set to challenge president Uhuru Kenyatta added: “But that doesn’t mean you don’t stand with the party. We need numbers and that is how the party can survive. Support our candidates and that is the only way you will help me.”
Among those who have since walked out of the party include Paul Otuoma (Busia), James Gesami (Nyamira), Oyugi Magwanga (Homabay), and Ochillo Ayacko (Migori).
They accused the party of favoring certain candidates in nominations, a claim which Odinga has since refuted.