• On Tuesday, Orata, Mbadi and Wanga pitched tents in the populous Ndhiwa constituency to seek votes from residents.
• Poll puts Magwanga as the leading aspirant with 23.6 per cent, followed closely by Wanga at 20.4 per cent, Ogwe is third with 20.1 per cent while Kidero has 13.5 per cent.
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
The expected consensus among aspirants seeking the ODM party ticket in Homa Bay governor race has failed after front-runners paid nomination fees.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had announced that the party will push for consensus to pick candidates ahead of primaries scheduled for next month.
Aspirants, especially where the party enjoys massive support, were therefore given leeway to agree among themselves and come up with a preferable person to fly the party's flag.
Homa Bay is one of the counties in Nyanza region where ODM commands big support and a candidate with the party ticket has a higher chance of winning in the general election.
By Sunday, front-runners in the Homa Bay governor race had submitted their nomination fees, a clear indication that the much-expected consensus had failed.
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero tops the list of aspirants who have submitted their nomination fees to the ODM party National Elections Board (NEB).
Others who have been cleared by the party to seek its ticket include former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, Suba South MP John Mbadi, Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata and former county secretary Isaiah Ogwe.
Because many people aspire to have the party ticket, the Catherine Mumma-led board extended the submission deadline to Wednesday.
Others who are expected to get clearance to participate in the nominations are Kuppet secretary general Akelo Misori, and businessmen Jared Kiasa and Louis Ogingo.
On Tuesday, Orata, Mbadi and Wanga pitched tents in the populous Ndhiwa constituency to seek votes from residents.
The deputy governor asked residents of Kanyadoto ward to nominate a candidate who will fix the problems they have been facing in the county.
Orata urged his opponents in the race to succeed Governor Cyprian Awiti to campaign peacefully as they sell their agenda to the people.
“Let’s go for integrity, competency and experience to ensure we turn around Homa Bay. I befit of the shoes of my current boss and ready to develop our people,” Orata said.
A pollster called Consortium of Researchers on Governance Africa (CORG) in the Homa Bay governorship says the race will be tight.
CORG result puts Magwanga as the leading aspirant with 23.6 per cent, followed closely by Wanga at 20.4 per cent, Ogwe is third with 20.1 per cent while Kidero has 13.5 per cent.
Mbadi is ranked in position five with 10.5 per cent, while Orata is number six with 2.7 per cent.
Misori, Kiasa and Ogingo share 9.1 per cent, which includes undecided voters.
On Wednesday, Magwanga said he is ready to battle it out with his opponents.
The former Kasipul MP, who unsuccessfully competed Awiti for the ticket ahead of the 2017 polls, expressed confidence of winning in 2022.
“The fact that front-runners have deposited their money to participate in nominations shows there’s no consensus. Let the most popular aspirant be candidate,” Magwanga said as he took his campaign in Wang’ Chieng ward, Karachuonyo constituency.
During his campaign in Homa Bay West ward, Homa Bay Town constituency, Kidero asked residents to vote for a person who has the capacity to transform Homa Bay.
He said he has traversed Homa Bay and taken note of the problems that bedevil residents.
The former Nairobi governor returns to Homa Bay Town constituency on Wednesday to woo voters.
“Residents shouldn’t gamble any more with Homa Bay leadership. I'm the one who can transform this county and we should start it by giving me the ODM ticket during nominations,” Kidero said.
Mbadi supported the universal suffrage method of picking candidates, arguing that no aspirant is ready to meet the other for consensus.
The ODM national chairman said he is ready to face his opponents.
“Everyone feels they are the best hence it’s the registered party members who should choose their candidate,” Mbadi said.
Wanga is confident that a credible nomination process will prove her popularity.
She is conducting her campaigns in Kabondo Kasipul on Wednesday.
“I entered the ring knowing that I will emerge the winner,” she said.
Ogwe is preparing to launch his campaign for the seat this Saturday.
Edited by A.N