[ODM leader Raila Odinga in a past event. He risks losing the crucial Kuria community votes following inability of the party to oversee negotiated democracy in Migori. Photo/Nation]
ODM leader Raila Odinga risks losing crucial Kuria community votes in Nyanza after his party failed to embrace negotiated democracy in favour of minority Kuria community who occupy Kuria East and Kuria West.
In a county predominantly Luo along with minorities Kuria, Somali and even Luhya community, Odinga helped secure Senator (Wilfred Machage), Women Representative seat (Dennitah Ghati) and Deputy Governor for Kuria community in exchange for presidential votes.
But the recently concluded ODM primaries means the Kuria community may not be represented at the county level unless Governor Nominee Okoth Obado settles for a Kuria deputy.
Former Radio presenter Ben Okello from Luo community and Dr. Pamella Adhiambo also from the same ethnic group won senatorial and Women Representative seats respectively.
Pressure now piles on Obado to either retain his current deputy Mwita Mahanga or to go for another person but from the Kuria community.
Senator Machage had opted out of the senatorial race and would go for Kuria West parliamentary seat on DP ticket.
While the Somali community would be sure of Junet Mohammed reelection, the Kuria community with their close to 100,000 votes will be keen on presidential elections.