[ Kisumu senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o at a past event. Photo/the-star]
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has been barred from declaring Kisumu senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, as the winner of the gubernatorial ticket.
The race for Kisumu ODM gubernatorial ticket took a new twist, after incumbent Ranguma and his rival, Nyong'o were declared winners.
The county had parallel tallying stations, in the Tuesday April 25, primaries. Ranguma was declared the winner by the ODM county Deputy Returning Officer Richard Kiyondi at the Aga Khan Hall, while Nyong'o was declared the winner at Thurdibuor Secondary School in Nyakach constituency, by ODM county Returning Officer Tom Okongo.
Okongo said Nyong'o garnered 164,110 votes against Ranguma's 91,480 votes. Their opponent, businessman Hezron McObewa was announced third after garnering 62,670 votes.
The ODM National Elections Board (NEB) however issued a statement, declaring Nyong'o the winner of the race, despite Ranguma's protest, saying he was the ideal winner.
However, few days after the win was issued to Nyong'o by the ODM National Elections Board (NEB), the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal ruled that the gubernatorial primaries were marred by massive irregularities.
This followed an application by one, Hezron Opiyo, tribunal members James Atemi, Kyalo Mbobu, and Hassan Abdi. They directed the applicant to serve the senator and ODM with the suit papers, to be heard, Thursday.Ranguma had hinted at running as an independent candidate.