AN attempt by ODM officials from Western province to endorse candidates for the party’s February 28 elections failed to come up with concrete choices.
Youth leaders from Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga made a decision that was read out to the media by Kakamega county chairman David Malala. Malala said they agreed to front Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba for secretary general.
As Malala read out the names of candidates from the region to journalists, National ODM youth league chairman Rashid Mohammed said: “We have not endorsed anybody.”
Vihiga county ODM chairman Ken Butiko and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya will vie for the deputy party leader position.
Kakamega county assembly deputy speaker Cleophas Malala was proposed as secretary for devolved government while Busia MP Florence Mutwa will contest the deputy organising secretary seat.
Namwamba and fellow MPs Paul Otuoma (Funyula), Major John Waluke (Sirisia), Andrew Toboso of Butere and EALA MP Nancy Angote attended the meeting.
Otuoma left Kamadep Guest House in Kakamega, the venue of the meeting after the event threatened to turn chaotic when members failed to agree on what to brief the media about.
At one point Rashid confronted Namwamba and Angote who was meeting with Malala and Vihiga county coordinator George Muyera. He said the MP had referred to him as a fake man.
Rashid said the youth will not be used to rubber stamp decisions made elsewhere. “They brought us here to help them endorse people of their choice and that will not happen. As youth from this region we shall make our own assessment of the candidates seeking various seats and chose one to support,” he said.
Rashid said the hurried endorsement of candidates was driven by sinister motives. Angote said that the candidates were free to reach out to other regions and seek support ahead of the polls. By the time of going to press, several delegates remained stranded at the venue. They said those who had been given their allowances had disappeared.