[ Ford Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu. He wants ODM to stop competing with Ford Kenya in Bungoma. Courtesy: The Star]
Ford Kenya secretary general Eseli Simiyu has called on ODM party leader and NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga to prevail upon ODM party candidates vying in Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia counties to step down.
Speaking earlier in the week, the Tongaren MP observed that Ford Kenya had sacrificed its presidential ambitions in favour of ODM, and therefore would be fair for the Orange party to stop competing with NASA affiliate parties in other seats in the two Western Kenya counties.
"Our party leader sacrificed his presidential ambitions. We don't want ODM candidates to challenge us," the lawmaker said.
ODM has fielded candidates in a number of elective seats in Bungoma, including the senatorial and gubernatorial positions.
A fortnight ago, Mr Odinga urged ODM candidate for Bungoma senator Bonny Nyongesa to step down for the incumbent Senator and NASA co-principal Moses Wetangula.
"I want the ODM candidate for the senate seat to step aside and support Wetang'ula because we want him to get as many votes as possible," the former Prime Minister said.