Ugenya MP David Ochieng is leaving the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) for a different party.
Ochieng’ joins a band of what now is being referred to as ‘ODM Rebels’ including Ababu Namwamba and Karachuonyo MP James Rege who quit ODM for Jubilee Alliance saying there was a failure by ODm to uphold internal democracy.
The latest defector says he will not be defending his seat on an ODM ticket but he will defect to another party.
“I have developed my constituency in a short while than what has been done for decades. I have brought a teacher training college and Kenya Medical Training College and made the bursary scheme benefit all needy students. But I will defend my seat on a different party ticket,” Ochieng was quoted by Tuko.
The rebels quit the party citing frustrations and high-handedness among other things.
Another MP, Nyatike legislator Omondi Anyanga reiterated his colleagues’ remarks saying the members want fair nominations in the forthcoming elections.
“In 2013, my wife Anne Anyanga won the nomination for Migori governor, but the certificate was given to Prof Akong’o Oyugi who lost the seat to Okoth Obado. We want fair nominations,” Anyanga said.
The Karachuonyo MP, once party leader Raila Odinga’s strong ally added that he will quit ODM for lacking democracy.
“I am privy to information that there are plans to give some people direct nomination certificates and this is against assurances that the nominations will be fair,” Rege was quoted by Tuko.
Rege says he has spent a fortune for ODM by-elections but he has got nothing but frustrations.
“I have won two nominations in the past with a clear majority, but the nomination certificate was always given to another person. As a result, I spent so much money in court. If this is set to continue, I don’t want to be part of it,” he argued.
He said ODM must sanitise its operations if it is to remain relevant and survive the massive exodus.