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The proposal by ODM to use delegates in nominating the party candidates ahead of the 2022 general election has elicited mixed reactions.
Deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya last week suggested that the party goes the delegates style to cut costs for aspirants.
The delegates will be mandated to pick popular candidates for MCA, MP, senator, woman representative and governor.
ODM wants delegates to go for people who are loyal, faithful, fidelity and those who subscribe to the party ideologies as candidates.
During the burial of Senator Moses Kajwang’s father, David Nyakwamba in Suba North constituency, ODM leader Raila Odinga warned politicians who will cause chaos during the nomination exercise.
Raila said they will not allow people of different interests to taint the image of the party in an exercise that should be conducted with decorum.
“The party will have a peaceful exercise. Those who expect to cause chaos to influence nomination outcome, will not be allowed,” Raila said.
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero asked aspirants to conduct their campaigns peacefully without causing violence. He supported Oparanya’s suggestion.
Kidero who wants to be Homa Bay governor argued that delegates understand structures and are in touch with the party happenings on the ground.
“Delegates will help in choosing the leaders they have confidence in,” Kidero said.
He argued that allowing members of the party to nominate candidates is subject to manipulation as some aspirants are likely to come up with parallel lists of members.
He spoke on Saturday at a burial in Asumbi where he was accompanied by Rangwe MP Lillian Gogo.
Gogo promised to support Kidero’s gubernatorial candidature.
Speaking in Homa Bay town, some ODM youths opposed the use of delegates as a way of imposing leaders on the people.
Duncan Oduya (Kasipul) and Peter Ogallo (Ndhiwa) said politicians will buy their way to power.
“Delegates are likely to vote for whoever pays them more. The nomination process should be left for all ODM party members to decide,” Oduya said.
Ogallo said the delegate system will discourage politicians from campaigning and make residents not get their policies.
“If the delegates nominate unpopular candidates it is the residents who will suffer,” Ogallo said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
