•ODM insiders however say it's the best way to forestall chaos that have previously rocked the primaries.
•The move to shelve competitive nominations is lauded as a sure way to reduce tension likely to hurt the party’s 2022 prospects.
The push to have 2022 ODM candidates picked through consensus has elicited mixed reactions, with a section of aspirants rejecting the move.
Some aspirants told the Star the method will work against them and likely to favour those currently in the system.
ODM insiders, however, say it's the best way to forestall chaos that have previously rocked the primaries.
The move to shelve competitive nominations is lauded as a sure way to reduce tension likely to hurt the party’s 2022 prospects.
In a statement on Monday, ODM National Elections Board chairperson Catherine Mumma said the party has made up its mind over the method to select candidates for various seats.
Mumma rallied aspirants to initiate consensus amongst themselves and agree on the best amongst equal to fly the flag.
“Meantime, we encourage our members to engage in local consultations for possible consensus among aspirants to assist the party members to identify strong candidates,” Mumma said.
Her statement comes days after ODM boss said the party has the power to give direct nominations to beat the tight Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission timelines for the 2022 polls
“If IEBC’s timelines are fast approaching the party can give direct nomination,” Raila said in Kilifi.
“The party will commission an opinion poll. From the poll, we get to know who is more popular in an area then we use the result to settle on the best candidate.”
However, several 2022 aspirants eyeing the party’s ticket have opposed the method saying it will give an undue advantage to current officeholders over new entrants.
Several aspirants who spoke to the Star want the party to shelve the plan and allow registered members to have the final say on who flies the ODM flag.
Former National Police Spokesman Charles Owino, who is eyeing Siaya gubernatorial seat, told the Star that the party should adopt the free and fair method of identifying candidates.
Owino will be facing Siaya Senator James Orengo in the ODM primaries as they seek to succeed Governor Cornell Rasanga.
“ODM should ensure the primaries are free and fair so that whoever is picked by the party for whatever position is the preferred candidate,” Owino said.
Kut Ochogo, who is eyeing Alego-Usonga parliamentary seat, cautioned against locking out party members from deciding on who should be their representatives.
In areas such as Nyanza, securing an ODM ticket is as good as being elected.
“Picking of candidates without allowing ODM members to take part in the nomination will disenfranchise most aspirants,” Kut said.
He said the consensus route or opinion polls may favour serving politicians who are already known.
The sentiments were shared by Jalang’o Midiwo, brother to the late former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo.
Jalang’o, who is interested in Elisha Odhiambo’s Gem seat, was confident that ODM will live to its promise of democracy during the primaries.
“I have faith that ODM will push for a free and fair process. They have publicly said the primaries will be free and fair to every aspirant. We don’t doubt that promise,” he said.
Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma has waded into the nomination debate, saying it risks disfranchising voters, if they are locked out of the crucial process.
The MP advised ODM to give voters a chance to elect the party candidates.
“I don’t want direct nomination, let our people elect me as the party’s flag bearer. This should be the way to go in all ODM party’s strongholds, if the party is to attain good numbers in all levels of leadership,” Kaluma said.
“Direct party nominations though cheap and convenient, will diminish the sovereign will of the people to elect their leaders and make the people rebel against the party.”
Muhoroni constituency aspirant Hezron McObewa said the method used should ensure popular candidates with a history of integrity, probity and capacity are selected to bolster our numbers in parliament.
“We must balance experience, utility and primary party values in making decisions,” McObewa said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris