ODM leaders publicly campaigned for their preferred candidates in the upcoming party polls due on February 28 and March 1.
The leaders were addressing mourners during the burial of the Star newspaper journalist Samuel Otieno at Kachar village in Homa Bay county on Sunday.
ODM nominated Senator Agnes Zani, who is vying for the party secretary general position, said she is ready and up to the task of ODM secretary general.
“I have the required qualifications to lead the party and that is why the constitution allows me to vie,” she said. Zani said the constitution does not guarantee Nyanza leaders automatic qualification for the party's secretary general.
She said ODM should be rejuvenated and promised to inject fresh ideas ahead of the 2017 general elections.
Ndhiwa MP Neto Oyugi, who is drumming support for Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura for the position however said Zani is new in the party affairs and should not be entrusted with the management of the party.
He said he wishes that someone from the Luo community occupies the seat. Oyugi said Zani’s candidature will rock the ODM party ahead of the elections in 2017.
Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma said they will respect party leader Raila Odinga’s decision on candidates. “We are seeking for his direction and that will be final,” he said.
Raila is said to be supporting Zani to take over the position formerly held by Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Migori women's representative Danita Ghati said they will remain united under Raila’s leadership and have him contest for the Presidency in 2017.
Former Homa Bay Senate candidate Hilary Alila said democracy must be allowed to prevail in ODM party. He said lack of transparency in ODM was the cause of its dismal performance.
“Electorate should be allowed to chose leaders of their choice,” Alila said.
Earlier at the funeral Kisumu Central constituency ODM chairman Seth Ochieng’ accused some youthful ODM leaders from Nyanza of being "drunk with power".
Ochieng’ criticised the high number of Nyanza leaders vying for the secretary general position. He also accused some leaders close to Raila of failing the party in the past.
“Leaders such as Siaya Senator James Orengo and Nyong’o must change to restore order in ODM party,” Ochieng said.
Kisumu Central constituency CDF chairman Ken Akoko said the party's secretary general must come from Luo Nyanza. He said Obura is best placed to take the position to rejuvenate ODM ahead of 2017 elections.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga attended the funeral. Otieno left behind a widow Nancy Kijana and two children Peter Kings, 5 and Cullent Ghaliela, 2.