ODM members who have been loyal to the party will be given priority during nominations, Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and Woman Representative Florence Mutua have said.
The two leaders said the decision is meant to reward party members who have overcome temptations to quit ODM despite the numerous challenges within the political outfit.
They, however, said there will be an open opportunity for all members interested to run for various elective posts to participate in the party primaries.
In a move that may rattle some top politicians who left ODM ahead of the 2017 General Election following their defeat during nominations, Ojaamong and Mutua said the party will remain firm in ensuring discipline prevails.
“There are those who have been making noise telling our party leader Raila Odinga how he has not helped the people of Western. But today the same people are busy saying they should be given direct nomination. We will not allow that,” Ojaamong said.
The county chief said discipline in ODM will remain paramount.
He said leaders out to bring disunity in the party will not be entertained.
He, however, said leaders who ditched the party and are willing to renew their membership should be free to contact party offices and seek readmission.
Mutua pleaded with those who quit ODM to return to the party and help build it.
“There are things you just can’t play around with,” Mutua said.
The MP is the ODM deputy secretary-general.
“Tell those people who left the party to come and talk to the governor so that he can give them direction.”
Among top leaders in Busia who ditched ODM ahead of the 2017 elections include former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma who was defeated by Ojaamong during the hotly contested ODM county party nominations.
Otuoma, after his defeat, left ODM and contested for the position of governor against Ojaamong as an independent candidate. He again lost to Ojaamong.
Otuoma has since renewed his ODM membership and will be seeking the party ticket to run for governor in 2022.
Former Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba also left ODM and joined Labour Party of Kenya. He defended his MP seat on the LPK ticket during the August 8, 2017 polls but was defeated by ODM’s Raphael Wanjala.
Namwamba is presently Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary.
Teso South MP Geoffrey Omuse in August announced his departure from ODM despite the party having sponsored him to Parliament in 2017. He cited fears of favouritism in the ODM nominations as reason for his departure.
Former Busia roads executive Gregory Odeke also left the party before the 2017 elections and vied for the Teso North MP seat as an independent candidate.
Ojaamong and Mutua urged those who left the party to freely return and help campaign for Raila. Raila is expected to contest the presidency next year.
They were speaking at Okisimo Primary School in Amukura East ward in Teso South subcounty during a fundraiser in aid of the construction of classrooms.
Mutua said it is unfortunate that there are leaders in the county who, after being elected, discriminate against the electorate based on voting patterns.
She said leaders should serve the electorate fairly after elections.
“Never tell people who did not vote for you that you will not take development to their area. That is very bad. If you get such a leader, don’t allow them to speak before you,” she said.
“If you win an election, how do you even know who voted for you? As a Woman Rep, do I even know who voted for me?”
She said leaders who discriminate against the electorate do not deserve to hold office.
"It is high time voters in Busia identify such leaders and eject them from office," Mutua said.
“Whether I am in ODM or any other party, my work as a leader is to serve the people,” she said.
