NASA flagbearer Raila Odinga [PHOTO/africanespost.com]
Independent candidates in Nyanza have formed new alliances and crafted new campaign strategies as the fight for political space continues amid unrelenting onslaught from the ODM party.
This is after National Super Alliance (NASA) flagbearer Raila Odinga and co-principal Musalia Mudavadi earlier this week claimed that all independents in Opposition strongholds are only out to spoil the smooth run to State House.
On Wednesday, the independents hit back, arguing that they have nothing against Raila and will campaign for him on condition he sets voters free to choose candidates of their own for the other seats.
The aspirants said that imposing the six-piece voting was against the democracy NASA was advocating for.
The candidates are now planning joint rallies where they will campaign for each other.
They say they will also be asking the electorate to choose Raila Odinga as their president in the August polls.
The candidates have complained that their biggest worry now is being portrayed as being anti-Raila campaigners and Jubilee workers.
In Siaya, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo has formed a strong alliance with gubernatorial aspirant Nicholas Gumbo and Women Rep candidate Florence Aluodo together with a host of other MCAs who lost in the recent ODM primaries.
In Kisumu, incumbent governor Jack Ranguma has vowed to work with independent candidates that include Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir and Senatorial aspirant Ochola Ogoda.
Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno who will run as an independent after losing the ODM ticket to tycoon Paul Abuor rejected the six-piece voting saying it was unworkable.
“There was a limit to ethnic support a politician can vaunt in his ethnic backyard. Raila Odinga is best advised to allow everyone to search for his or her own votes,” says Otieno, who complains he was rigged out during the nominations.
Otieno argues that Raila will have many MPs as independents and those from other parties with whom he can work.
“In 1997, as KANU, we had to seek Raila to join us because Moi did not have numbers. Raila can seek support from independent MPs too,” he said