• Ida called Wanga, Kidero and Misori in front of a crowd and told them to commit to Homa Bay residents that they are going to undertake peaceful campaigns.
•Kidero expressed optimism that Raila’s victory will cater for their interests.
Image: FREDERICK OMONDI
ODM leader Raila Odinga’s wife Ida has called on all the Homa Bay gubernatorial aspirants to campaign peacefully ahead of the party nominations.
Ida Odinga argued that some aspirants who have paid nomination fees to get the party ticket have engaged in criticizing each other in a way that can cause division.
Some aspirants who have paid nomination fees are former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, area woman representative Gladys Wanga, former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, Suba South MP John Mbadi, Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata and Kuppet secretary-general Akelo Misori.
Other aspirants include former county secretary Isaiah Ogwe and businessmen Louis Ogingo and Jared Kiasa.
Speaking in presence of Kidero, Wanga and Akelo Misori during a graduation ceremony at Asumbi in the Rangwe constituency on Thursday, Ida asked the aspirants to avoid going personal in their campaigns.
“You will still need each other after elections hence I don’t see why you should go personal in your campaigns,” Ida said.
The graduation ceremony involved farmers who were trained in partnership between Location Economic Development Forum (LEDFO) and St Francis Technical Training Institute.
Ida called Wanga, Kidero and Misori in front of a crowd and told them to commit to Homa Bay residents that they are going to undertake peaceful campaigns.
“Let three gubernatorial aspirants who are here to commit to the people that they are going to undertake peaceful campaigns so that it can go on record,” Ida said.
She urged all aspirants eyeing the seat to embrace peace in their campaigns especially after failed.
Ida said the aspirants should focus on their energy on Raila’s presidency, noting that Raila’s presidency will create job opportunities for those who fail in the gubernatorial contest.
“Let the gubernatorial contest not be a do or die race. I know the gubernatorial aspirants in this county have potential and they will get jobs in the government if Raila wins the seat,” Ida said.
The gubernatorial contenders agreed to maintain peace.
Kidero expressed optimism that Raila’s victory will cater for their interests.
“What Ida has said means even Raila has confidence in us. We will maintain peace in campaigns and focus on how Raila can win the seat,” Kidero said.
Wanga said they will support whoever wins the gubernatorial seat as a way of enhancing peaceful co-existence in the race.
She said Raila’s presidency overrides anybody’s interest in the race.
“As Raila’s foot soldiers will comply with everything he wants us to do. It is important to focus on his presidency which is the bigger picture,” Wanga said.
Misori argued also promised to maintain peace in his campaigns.
This comes as ODM is set to hold its nominations next month.
Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo called on all politicians in the county to focus on their policies rather than chaos.
“It is my appeal to fellow politicians that we should focus on policies alone to prevent chaos during the electioneering period,” Gogo said.