- She asked the ODM national election board to ensure free and fair nominations.
- The former deputy governor also urged aspirants to focus on issue-based politics and not insults, saying voters should shun those championing division.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Former Kisumu deputy governor Ruth Odinga has challenged aspirants to go to the people and seek votes instead of waiting for a direct ticket.
“Even Raila is traversing the country in search of votes. I am also campaigning in the seven subcounties of Kisumu county to ask for votes," Ruth said.
"Why should others feel so special to be endorsed or given a direct ticket?”
Ruth questioned how aspirants waiting for direct tickets will implement their agendas if they don’t present them to electorate for evaluation.
The former deputy governor also urged aspirants to focus on issue-based politics and not insults, saying voters should shun those championing division.
She asked the ODM national election board chaired by Catherine Mumma to ensure free and fair nominations.
Ruth also said if Raila becomes president, it would be "a win to millions of Kenyans. We must understand the value of the presidency. Therefore his votes should be given priority.”
She has been crisscrossing the subcounties of Seme, Kisumu Central, Kisumu West, Kisumu East, Nyando and Nyakach to popularise her bid.
On Tuesday Ruth met with traders from Kibuye who had been temporarily relocated to pave the way for the construction of the market to seek their support.
And on Wednesday she took her campaigns to Nyando subcounty where she held meetings with women, youths and elders to market her candidature. She made food donations to widows.
She also expressed confidence that she will clinch the seat currently occupied by Rosa Buyu, who shifted her political interest to Kisumu West parliamentary seat.
Buyu wants to unseat incumbent MP Olago Aluoch, who will defend the seat on DAP-K ticket.
Ruth pledged to continue pushing for equal distribution of resources, jobs and inclusion of the diaspora in county governance.
She will face former Kisumu city manager Doris Ombara, former Kisumu Tourism executive Rose Kisia, former Citizen’s Convention party leader Grace Akumu and Kisumu Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chairperson Caren Aketch.
Others eyeing the seat are philanthropist Beatrice Atieno, Valentine Otieno, current Kisumu Land executive Judith Atyang and Central Seme MCA Sally Okudo.
There have been murmurs over the dominance of the Odingas after Oburu Oginga officially declared his senatorial bid on Saturday.
His son Elijah Bonyo Oburu also wants to unseat Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda.
Ruth, however, faulted those who have been profiling the Odingas, saying there was nothing wrong about the family joining elective politics.
The candidates, who are seeking the ODM ticket, started the hunt for votes by meeting traders, women, youth groups and opinion leaders.
(edited by Amol Awuor)