Parliament's support for party hopping will guarantee free and fair nominations, ODM chairman John Mbadi has said. Last week, MPs removed proposals curbing party hopping.Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso ruled that the removal would stand.
“For ODM to prevent fallout, party nominations this time
round will be free and fair through the newly constituted National Election
Board. Anybody promising aspirants certificates is a conman," Mbadi
said. Mbadi said to prevent fallout and party hopping before and
after elections, ODM will vet all aspirants before
they are cleared to vie.
“This [will weed out] people who use ODM as a bus to reach their destination,
especially elected leaders who immediately after being elected they champion
rival’s interest,” he said. Mbadi said the NEB will begin the process in October and will give its regulations. He spoke at Sango and Winyo primary schools in Rongo constituencies,
where he was hosted by area ODM aspirant Paul Abuor.
Abuor said, “The last polls were marred by skewed party nominations,
but this time vetting of aspirants will give us the best
results.” He said nominations should be free and fair to
party loyalists and not leaders who moved to Jubilee after they were elected.
His sentiments were shared by Kasipul-Kabondo MP Silvance
Osele who said loyalty of candidates, contribution of funds and respect to party
leadership are key qualities. “You won’t expect to have slept with our rivals all along
and come back to the party demanding free and fair nominations. That will be
in bad faith to loyalists” he said.
Osele said calls by Mbadi and Cord leader Raila Odinga for
free and fair nominations are in good faith.
