ODM national chairman John Mbadi has become the latest casualty of the party’s resolve to issue direct tickets.
The Suba South MP now joins a growing list of those who were nursing gubernatorial interests within the Orange party, but whose dreams are now shattered.
ODM resorted to giving direct tickets to avoid chaotic nominations that always accompany its primaries especially in his strongholds.
Both ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto's parties have been attracting many aspirants, a sign that competition will be very stiff in some cases.
Whereas Raila's party has resorted to direct ticket and primaries in its strongholds, the DP on the other hand has been able to broker a consensus in areas where it has experienced stiff competition.
Last week, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale dropped out of the gubernatorial race in favour of Cleophas Malala in a deal brokered by Ruto.
Khalwale, who was to contest the top seat on a UDA ticket, will now vie for the Senate seat.
DP also ensured consensus among Kenya Kwanza aspirants in Narok and Wajir.
In ODM, the party issued a direct certificate to Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado), former Agriculture PS Hamadi Boga (Kwale), Fernandas Barasa (Kakamega), Nathif Jamah (Garissa) and Gladys Wanga (Homabay), among others.
Mbadi, who was in the race for the ODM ticket in Homa Bay, said he has withdrawn from the race and will be concentrating in Azimio La Umoja presidential campaigns.
Also in the race to succeed Governor Cyprian Awiti are former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, immediate former Homa Bay county secretary Isiah Ogwe and Kuppet boss Akelo Misori.
The National Assembly minority leader, whom sources said was prevailed upon by Raila to step down, said that was the most difficult decision he has made in his political career.
The move to dish out direct certificates caused a storm in ODM with aspirants demanding that the people should be left to decide in a free and fair exercise.
Most aspirants who spoke to the Star in confidence said it was laughable the party is only refunding application fees when the aspirants have spent millions in campaigns.
"It is in very bad faith that our party can wait for the window of joining other parties to elapse then come up with this direct thing," a gubernatorial aspirant said.
"What use is application money when we have spent millions of shillings in campaigns?"
Former Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga on Thursday warned against issuance of direct tickets, calling on the party to let the electorate decide.
Speaking during a popular morning show on Mayienga FM, Raila’s sister said the move will likely lead to voter apathy in the polls.
She also said the party should conduct free and fair polls and not rely on the opinion polls which, she said, will disfranchise voters.
Nominated MP Jacquiline Oduol, who is also eyeing Alego-Usonga MP seat, said the party should not use direct ticket as stand-alone method.
Instead, it should be informed by other factors, including scientific research.
“Whichever method the party has settled on, it should be handled with utmost transparency to win the confidence of the voters and aspirants,” Oduol said on phone.
Other beneficiaries of direct tickets are Tindi Mwale (Butere), Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Peter Nabulindo (Matungu), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero) and Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo).
ODM will be starting the exercise in Nakuru and Turkana on April 1, followed by Narok and Kajiado the following day.
The National Elections Board will then move to Kilifi and Tana River (April 4), Taita Taveta and Kwale (April 5), Mombasa (April 6), Kisii and Nyamira (April 7), Vihiga, Busia (April 12), Kisumu (April 13) and Siaya (April 14).
According to NEB schedule, the exercise will be held in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia (April 15), Migori (April 16), Homa Bay (April 18) and Kakamega (April 19).
(edited by Amol Awuor)
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”
