Eliud Owalo on Tuesday dismissed NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga over calls for voters to reject independent candidates on August 8.
During a church service at ACK St Stephens Cathedral in Kisumu on Sunday, Raila said ODM has never promised to campaign for the lot.
The ODM leader rallied his supporters to reject independents at the ballot saying the party needed numerical strength in both Houses of Parliament.
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But Owalo, who is Raila's former aide, said the group are an outcome of shambolic nominations and hand-picked candidates.
"There is a clear constitutional and electoral provision for such candidates. They have an inalienable right to exercise their right to seek the people's mandate."
In a statement, Owalo said any political leader's position, that contradicts the constitution and election laws, is
null and void.
He said Raila, being a presidential candidate, is expected to defend and protect the constitution, not demonise independents.
"He should not treat independent candidates as enemies of the people after collecting colossal sums of money under the pretext of conducting non-existent party primaries."
Governors who sought to fly the ODM flag parted with Sh500,000 while senators and MPs paid Sh250,000.
Ward representatives paid Sh25,000 while those under special interest groups, including the disabled, women and youth, paid Sh15,000.
"Let independent candidates be. Let us be honest with ourselves for once. If they fear to speak for themselves, I will do so, having been freed from that bondage," Owalo said.
At least 3,752 candidates have been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to vie without the sponsorship of parties.
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