NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga. [Photo/ RO]
Many independent candidates in Nyanza region, who were formerly in ODM, have opposed Raila’s move to call for a six-piece vote pattern in the August 8 general election. Raila has argued that even though he is seeking the presidency, he needs to have his party, ODM, having majority seats in the counties, national assembly and the senate to help him govern. The independent candidates, who claim they lost unfairly in the ODM primaries, have accused Raila of backing cartels who were behind the shambolic nominations. Mr Gym Agembe, a parliamentary candidate in Mbita constituency, said Raila’s call will lead to voter apathy in his strongholds and hurt his presidential bid. “I have over half of Mbita voters supporting my bid and they were infuriated by the bungled primaries, which denied me the party ticket,” he said, as quoted by the Standard. Other aspirants urged the NASA presidential flag bearer to be more inclusive of all aspirants in Nyanza. Kasipul independent candidate Okindo Majiwa, who lost in the ODM primaries, urged Raila to take his campaigns to areas where he has less support. “Everybody in Luo Nyanza has Raila's vote and he does not need to come here or campaign for any candidate. Let him go to other regions and seek votes,” Majiwa said. Former journalist Isaac Ongiri, who also lost in the ODM nominations in Kasipul, said Raila’s move to campaign for ODM candidates may cause voter apathy his Nyanza. “I am appealing to Raila to let Nyanza residents elect leaders of their own choice. His presidential bid is more important than who wins the other seats,” Ongiri said.