The Azimio-One Kenya presidential campaign team in Nyanza wants affiliate parties to allow zoning enabling ODM to win more seats.
The team on Sunday argued sibling rivalry among Azimio affiliates may split the vote, denying the coalition seats in the region considered its stronghold.
The zoning idea is expected to cause uproar among Azimio affiliate party candidates running for election in Nyanza.
The Nyanza presidential team is co-chaired by ODM national chairman John Mbadi and Kisii Governor James Ongwae.
They expressed concerns rivalry may split the vote, giving Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza seats in some regions.
They spoke in Homa Bay town ahead of the Nyanza visit by Azimio presidential running mate Martha Karua and Raila’s wife Ida Odinga. They are expected on Thursday.
They cited Kisii and Nyamira counties where Azimio competition could especially benefit Kenya Kwanza.
Mbadi said they have began to dialogue with leaders of Azimio affiliate parties to allow their candidates to step down in favour of ODM candidates in Nyanza.
He said a committee is in place to address zoning so it is conducted in a manner that does not weaken the popularity of presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
The other counties at issue in Nyanza are Homa Bay, Kisii, Migori, Nyamira, Kisii and Nyamira.
“We want a 100 per cent voter turnout and support for Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga. Nyanza is also an ODM stronghold, hence, it should be painted orange,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi also said that in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Siaya where he said candidates for other political parties should step down in favour of ODM.
He said they are not going to force the process, understanding that many residents in the four counties were disillusioned by the flawed manner in which ODM conducted its primaries in April.
“We want ODM to stamp its authority in Nyanza counties in a peaceful way and without any element of dictatorship. This will ensure we achieve six-piece voting where all ODM candidates get elected from MCA to presidential seat,” he said.
They added that the zoning has been done in Central and Lower Eastern regions.
Ongwae said the team will ensure Raila wins by a landslide in Nyanza.
The governor said Karua and Ida’s visit to Kisii on Thursday will augment Raila’s support by rallying women.
“Karua and Ida’s visit is very significant because they will let Nyanza know how the Azimio government will address interests of women,” Ongwae said.
But it's going to be difficult to persuade candidates to step down.
In Migori, DAP-K gubernatorial candidate John Pesa and Kanu’s Dalmas Otieno are giving ODM’s Ochilo Ayacko a hard time in the race.
In Kisumu, MDG’s governor candidate Jack Ranguma is giving ODM’s Anyang’ Nyong’o a hard time. The same is true in Siaya where UDM’s Nicholas Gumbo is giving ODM’s James Orengo a run for his money.
It is only in Homa Bay where ODM’s Gladys Wanga is facing a fierce competition from Independent Evans Kidero.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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