The race for Homa Bay woman representative position is becoming stiff for ODM candidate Joyce Osogo.
In previous general elections, securing the ODM ticket for any political seat in Homa Bay was equal to being elected because of the massive popularity of the party.
Such candidates would slow down their campaigns immediately after ODM primaries and return in the last one or two weeks to the elections.
But in what appears to be a major shift in politics of the county, residents have embraced independents and candidates vying on Azimio La Umoja affiliate parties other than ODM.
ODM woman rep candidate Osogo is facing stiff competition.
She was born in Homa Bay Town constituency and is married in Karachuonyo constituency.
But on Friday evening, elders from Homa Bay Town constituency endorsed woman representative candidate Moline Ngala.
Through their organization, Nyada Ralek, the elders endorsed her at Kabunde Social Hall grounds.
Chairman Arthur Opiyo, secretary Meshack Akelo, overseer Peterson Oloo and other elders vowed never to endorse any other candidate for the post of woman representative in Homa Bay.
“Politicians are fond of approaching elders for this type of endorsement after getting information that their opponent has been blessed. But we are saying that we no longer have any more blessings for any woman representative candidate in this county apart from Ngala,” Opiyo said.
Akelo said they had scrutinised Ngala’s manifesto and concluded that she is fit to be the second Homa Bay woman representative.
“We have evaluated candidates vying for this seat. This brought us to a unanimous conclusion that Ngala can serve this county better,” Akelo said.
Oloo said they are going to persuade elders from the other constituencies to back their choice.
“Politics is about the community and the entry point in the community is elders. We will talk to our colleagues in other constituencies to support our candidate,” Oloo said.
Ngala, who was also born in Homa Bay Town constituency and is married in Rangwe constituency, said the endorsement has given her two constancies as her strongholds.
“Homa Bay Town and Rangwe constituencies are behind me. I am in talks with voters in the remaining six constituencies to humbly request them for their votes,”Ngala said.
She promised to empower women, the youth, persons with disability and promote education if elected the next woman representative.
In Ndhiwa constituency, voters have vowed to support the widow of former Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, Mary.
Ojode is vying on a DAP-K ticket, seeking support of voters from the remaining seven constituencies in the county.
“My reception is good all over and I am seeking support of voters in other constituencies so that we can take this county to the next level,” Ojode said.
Apart from Ngala, Ojode and Osogo, the other three candidates for the seat are Easter Ogweno (independent), Tabitha Nyandiek (independent) and Melida Auma (UDA).
They are battling to get majority votes among 551,071 registered voters in the county.
They want to succeed Gladys Wanga who is vying for the governor.
Edited by Henry Makori
