Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero's support in the Homa Bay governor race appears to be increasing, as his camp continues to receive ‘ODM party defectors’.
The defectors include elders, campaign coordinators of former aspirants for the seat and individuals.
Most of them say they were not satisfied with the manner in which ODM handled its primaries.
Woman Representative Gladys Wanga got a direct ticket to run for Homa Bay governor.
Others who received direct tickets include Senator Moses Kajwang, MPs Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Ong’ondo Were (Kasipul), Lillian Gogo(Rangwe) and Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul).
ODM leader Raila Odinga’s former aide Caroli Omondi also got a direct ticket to contest Suba South parliamentary seat.
MPs Adipo Okuome (Karachuonyo) and Martin Owino (Ndhiwa) were however declared winners after they were subjected to nominations.
Homa Bay political observer Mark Okang’ said many residents were trooping into Kidero's camp because they were dissatisfied with the nominations' outcome.
“Many of them feel that ODM abandoned the democracy it’s perceived to stand for. There was a lot of favouritism before and during the party primaries,” Okang’ said.
Speaking on Monday in Homa Bay town, Okang’ urged Wanga and other ODM candidates to change their campaign strategies and approach to woo voters rather than depend on Raila and the party's popularity.
ODM is the dominant party in the region and many of its candidates get voted in during elections.
In the 2013 and 2017 general polls, the governor, senator, woman representative and all eight MPs were elected on the party ticket.
Okang’ said most leaders in the area underperform because they ride on the popularity of the party and Raila.
“ODM candidates must work extra-hard to win back the trust of the people. Elected leaders have focused on the party politics at the expense of development,” he said.
Many aspirants who were previously seeking ODM tickets have gone independent, citing irregularities during the party primaries.
Kidero was the first to declare he would vie as an independent candidate after ODM issued Wanga a direct ticket.
The former governor claimed he was not invited to a consensus meeting with other aspirants when it was decided that Wanga should get the ticket.
The aspirants included Homa Bay Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, Suba South MP John Mbadi, former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, Kuppet secretary general Akelo Misori, former county secretary Isaiah Ogwe and businessman Louis Ogingo.
Magwanga was chosen to be Wanga’s running mate.
“Let Homa Bay people vote for only development-conscious leaders. It’s high time they went for leaders with the capacity to transform the county,” Kidero said in Karachuonyo.
Wanga has dismissed claims she is Governor Cyprian Awiti's project.
She has also distanced herself from allegations that she will inherit some county officials from Awiti’s administration.
“Wanga is seen as a project especially after Governor Awiti came out to support her. People want serious economic change,” Okang said.
Edited by A.N
