Nominated MP Dr. Oburu Odinga has defended the recent move by ODM party to give direct ticket to Moses Otieno K’Ajwang’ in the impending Homa - Bay senatorial by-elections.
Dr. Oburu said the move was not any different from the previous years’ when political parties gave tickets to relatives of their departed candidates to complete the remaining part of their term.
He cited many instances, with his case being one of them, saying that his late father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga whose position he held immediately after his death, the late Wamalwa Kijana whose brother Eugine Wamalwa took over his seat upon his death, Lorna Laboso, Kipkalia Kones and even the most recent case of Mutula Kilonzo Junior among others.
“I wonder why in Homa - Bay there is a lot of opposition regarding the move made by the Orange party concerning the by-election. I urge all those who are making noise about Moses K’’Ajwang’s direct nomination to hold their horses and wait for 2017 general elections,” said Dr. Oburu.
However, a politician from Gem constituency J.T Okinda, who was speaking at a different function, said that for ODM party to be strong at the grassroots level, it needs to be giving electorates a chance to choose leaders of their own choice.
It is quite unfair to collect nomination fees from candidates and only to ditch them by giving a direct nomination to others without refunding their money,” Said Okinda.
The ODM party’s move to issue a direct nomination to the late Homa – Bay Senator Otieno K’Ajwang’s brother has so far made some contestants like Silas Jakakimba defect from ODM party.