- Elisha Odhiambo was declared the winner of the party primaries which were held on April 13.
- The results, announced at Siaya Institute showed the MP got 7,405 votes against Midiwo’s 6,384 votes.
Image: FILE
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has ordered ODM to issue nomination certificate for Gem parliamentary seat to incumbent Elisha Odhiambo.
In the ruling delivered on Saturday, the tribunal directed the party’s National Elections Board to issue the ticket within 24 hours.
“The respondents are hereby directed to forthwith issue to the complainant the final nomination certificate to contest for the Member of National Assembly for Gem constituency,” the ruling signed by presiding tribunal member Willy Mutubwa read in part.
“In any event within 24 hours of this order, and to forward his name to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” its adds.
The ruling comes as a relief to the first term legislator who has been battling to secure the ticket after the party revoked his nomination victory.
Last week, the board chaired by Catherine Mumma, issued a direct ticket to Odhiambo’s competitor, Jalang’o Midiwo.
Last Friday, Jalang’o who is the elder brother of the Jakoyo Midiwo (deceased), announced the party had cleared and issued him with a nomination certificate.
This is after the party's Central Management Committee, a powerful organs chaired by party leader Raila Odinga, nullified the nomination results and ordered the board to issue a direct ticket.
But Odhiambo rejected the decision and moved to the tribunal seeking to overturn the committee and the board's decision.
“I will not allow the NEB and its cartels to overturn the popular will of the people. Do not take me round in political circus," Odhiambo had said.
On Sunday, Mumma did not respond to inquiries on whether the board will comply with the tribunal ruling or challenge the same in the High Court.
Odhiambo was declared the winner of the party primaries which were held on April 13.
The results, announced at Siaya Institute, showed the MP got 7,405 votes against his closest challenger Midiwo’s 6,384 votes.
However, Midiwo immediately appealed the verdict before the party’s tribunal but his appeal was rejected.
He told the tribunal the exercise was marred with violence and intimidation of voters.
The chairman of the tribunal Fredrick Orego who read the verdict had said Midiwo failed to prove the nomination was not conducted within the law and in conformity to the rules of the ODM primaries.
Midiwo, according to the tribunal, also failed to demonstrate there was widespread violence and irregularities that would invalidate the outcome of the exercise.
The tribunal upheld the nomination of Odhiambo and directed the certificate be issued to him and the judgement be served to ODM National Election Board.
On Friday, Midiwo received a grand reception at Kisumu Airport by his supporters.
He returned to his constituency for the first time after receiving the certificate.
His convoy later traversed the constituency where he addressed impromptu rallies at Akala, Wagai , Kambare, Ramula and Yala towns before being received at his father's home in Mabinju village.
Addressing his supporters, Midiwo appealed to his opponent to bury the hatchet for the sake of development of the constituency.
“I want to ask my supporters and those of my rivals agree to work as a team. We need to rally our people behind ODM party,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara