Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito has asked Azimio to respect the rights of others seeking elective seats.
Kizito rubbished the planned zoning of candidates in Azimio, saying all candidates should be allowed to look for votes for the coalition's flagbearer Raila Odinga.
“You cannot stop others to run for seats because you want another to win. Everyone has a right to vie for elective seats," he said.
"Who told them that if they force others out of the race their supporters will vote for the remaining candidates?
“For example, I was badly shortchanged in ODM, but I sought another outfit to vie on and seek votes for Raila.”
He said ODM bungled party nominations and handpicked those they wanted and now they want to deny Kenyans a chance to elect leaders of their choice.
Azimio has said it will use opinion polls to zone its candidates to avoid unhealthy internal competition that could cost the coalition seats in the August 9 polls.
UDP leader Cyrus Jirongo whose party is affiliated to Azimio has ruled out the possibility of stepping down for any other candidate.
ODM deputy leader Wycliffe Oparanya has said Kakamega, Busia and Vihiga counties are party strongholds and should be left to field party candidates as DAP-K fields its aspirants in Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia counties.
Kizito said that the push to drop some candidates in favour of others may backfire and cost the coalition seats.
DAP-K senatorial candidate for Kakamega Patrick Butichi pulled out of the race on Saturday to back ODM’s Brian Lishenga. He said he had reached the decision in the interest of more seats for Azimio after consultations with Oparanya.
Butichi further said that he was ready to serve the county in other capacities.
On Tuesday, Mumias East DAP-K candidate Peter Salasya accused Oparanya of bullying other Azimio affiliate parties in Kakamega and warned that this affect the coalition.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
