- The Ugenya MP weathered the strong ODM wave to clinch the seat on the little known MDG party.
- "I commit to support Raila for the top seat but we must allow the electorates to pick other candidates without being coerced to vote along party lines," he said.
Image: FILE
Small political parties from ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Nyanza backyard are now demanding a level playing field ahead of the 2022 election.
The parties – which mostly support Raila’s 2022 candidature – now want the region to consider candidates in the fringe parties for various elective positions and not be compelled to vote only ODM candidates.
Led by Movement for Democracy and Growth leader Ugenya MP David Ochieng, the outfits claim voters should be given a free hand to choose leaders in the other positions.
Apart from MDG, other political parties keen on fielding candidates in Nyanza include former Ndhiwa MP Neto Augostino’s United Green Movement Party, Green Congress of Party Kenya and People Democratic Party .
Speaking during the burial of Jubilee Party secretary general Raphael Tuju’s mother on Saturday, Ochieng’ called for inclusion telling residents to shun six-piece voting pattern and elect leaders who can deliver.
The Ugenya MP who weathered the strong ODM wave to clinch the seat on the little known MDG party said he will field candidates for other positions while supporting Raila for presidency in next year's general election.
"I commit to support Raila for the top seat in 2022 but we must allow the electorates to pick other candidates without being coerced to vote along party lines," he said.
The lawmaker has teamed up with former Rarieda lawmaker Nicholas Gumbo who has declared to contest for the Siaya gubernatorial seat promising to give ODM candidates a run for their money.
Speaking at the same function, Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli told ODM supporters to shun fringe political parties to strengthen Raila's chances of clinching the presidency.
The trade unionist also told Ochieng’ to denounce his party and rejoin the Orange party claiming that his effort could derail Raila's effort to consolidate his political backyard.
"As a young and eloquent lawyer, you can do a lot to strengthen the party and make it more formidable ahead of next year’s general election," he said.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo pointed out that the move will sabotage Raila’s chances in the next year’s elections.
The lawmaker warned that electing Raila with few MPs from his ODM party will make him more vulnerable.
“We do not want to have a situation where Raila is elected president without having his foot soldiers. He could easily be impeached within one week,” he said.
Kisumu Woman Representative Rosa Buyu also warned against the small parties saying Raila needs majority of MPs from his party to help push his legislative agenda, if he wins next year's polls.
She expressed confidence that ODM will withstand the turbulence of the small parties and maintain its hold of the region.
Tuju urged the region to take advantage of the continuous voter registration at IEBC offices to soar up the region’s numerical strength.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)