ODM leader Raila Odinga’s wife Ida has called for consensus among Homa Bay governor aspirants ahead of party primaries.
She said they do not want to witness supporters of politicians engaging in violence as the 2022 election approaches.
“I know those who want to be Homa Bay governor campaign hard to win the ODM ticket. But I wish they could come and agree to keep violence at bay before nominations,” Ida said.
She said consensus should not only be applied in Homa Bay but also in other counties in Nyanza.
Ida spoke at a fundraiser organised by Basic Education PS Julius Jwan at Sing’enge Primary School in Ndhiwa constituency.
She urged ODM to pick candidates if the primaries could lead to violence.
“If possible, the party can call the people contesting the gubernatorial race for a dialogue before they agree on one of them to get the nomination ticket,” Ida said.
She told politicians in the region to focus on Raila’s presidential bid by mobilising residents to register as voters.
Ida was accompanied by Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti, Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino and other leaders. Awiti is retiring as governor next year.
Among those seeking to succeed Awiti include Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, ODM national chairman John Mbadi, Wanga, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga.
Others are businessman Louis Ogingo, county secretary Isaiah Ogwe, Finance executive Nicholas K’Oriko, Kuppet secretary Akelo Misori and businessman Jared Kiasa.
On Saturday, Kidero, Ogingo and Magwanga condemned the politics of violence.
Kidero urged his competitors to avoid causing tension and violence.
“We need peaceful campaigns in Homa Bay. Violence is detrimental to the democratic space of electing leaders,” Kidero said.
Ogingo told aspirants to focus on the agenda rather than chaos.
“Don’t let Raila down by causing violence in his backyard. As governor aspirants, we must be very careful with the way we conduct our politics because we don’t want to spoil for Raila,” he said.
Magwanga told residents to be cautious with people propagating violence. The former Kasipul MP challenged his competitors to avoid the politics of name-calling.
“It’s high time we stopped insults in our quest to become Homa Bay governor. We can’t get united when there is no peace,” Magwanga said.
Wanga asked residents to vote for her, saying she has the best agenda.
“I’m the one who can bring peace when men are feuding over this gubernatorial contest,” Wanga said.
Edited by A.N
