EX- MPs Were and Akula flop in ODM nominations

MATUNGU outgoing MP David Were and his Khwisero counterpart Evans Akula yesterday lost in the ODM nominations.Were, who to seek a third term in Parliament, lost to Paul Posho who garnered 10,481 against his with 7,814.

Addressing the press after the elections, Posho said the nominations were "a mini-general election" which portrayed the feeling of the electorate.

He said the nominations were free and fair despite logistical challenges which caused delays.“I am happy with the voters who braved the hot sun to exhibit their feelings,” said Posho.

He asked the losers to work with him to help the Cord coalition form the next government.In Khwisero, Akula conceded to defeat by Benjamin Andola, a former head of accounting in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Akula came third with 2,301 votes behind Andola's 6,303 and Benjamin Andama's 5,598.Andama however refuted the results claiming they were cooked to favour Andola who defected from UDF two months ago.

He vowed to use all possible means to block clearance of Andola as the party’s parliamentary flag bearer in Khwisero.In the newly created Mumias East constituency, former Mumias MP Wycliffe Osundwa lost to Justin Mutobera.Johnston Naicca won the Mumias West ticket.