Awendo MP Walter Owino has chided his main rival, a clergy, to drop his bid in his favour in exchange for him a State House chaplain job.
Owino said it’s hard to tackle bishop Peter Midodo because he is a man of God, who has joined politics.
He said he will ensure the cleric gets a State House chaplain job once elected.
“Actually I have booked for him to preach twice in State House when Raila Odinga becomes president, it will be sad to embarrass a man of God at the ballot when I floor him,” Owino said.
Owino said in the 2013 general elections he lost despite winning the ODM primaries because voters cheated him that he was popular and the same could befall Midodo.
"Politics is dirty and these voters will not be afraid that Midodo is a man of God, they will cheat him the same way they did to me,” Owino said in Awendo town.
Walter said with the political temperature rising the clergy should remain in churches and pray for the nation “instead of sharing podiums where insults are hurled.”
Owino said in a weekly session of prayer at State House, Midodo will earn an equivalent of his six months salary “and I will book him for the entire five years.”
But in a quick rejoinder, Midodo said his desire to offer residents solutions to their problems was bigger than the State House chaplain job.
"I heard Owino saying that he has secured a State House job for me. I want to tell him remaining in the pulpit while praying for leaders like him is hard,” he said.
"He even said that am going to earn a salary equivalent to my six months salary. I am telling him that I am not looking for a job or food but an opportunity to offer better leadership.
"Our God is a political God, let the clergy come out and contest for these political seats."
Owino will defend his seat on an ODM ticket while Midodo will vie as an independent candidate.
Other candidates include Isca Oluoch(independent).
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
