Ndhiwa ODM candidates back KANU flag bearer

By James Omoro

Campaigns for Ndhiwa parliamentary seat have taken a different direction after 14 former ODM nomination candidates opted to support KANU flag bearer.

The decision of the former ODM candidates and their supporters has now given Tom Alila of KANU political impetus in his endeavour to succeed former Assistant Minister for Internal Security Orwa Ojode.

Alila who has just ventured into politics for the first time, expressed optimism of acquiring victory in the forthcoming by-election scheduled for September 17.

The Nyanza Football Kenya Federation representative pledged to have a leadership that involves consultations from residents of all parts of the constituency if he gets elected.

“I am going to represent the people of Ndhiwa for the first time only three months before dissolution of parliament. My main policy is consultative leadership. I will involve the people of Ndhiwa in discussions to decide which services are needed at a given area,” Mr Alila said.

He said his responsibility in the FKF has enhanced his leadership skills and he would ensure adequate distribution of resources.

“I have to admit that Ojode was a hardworking MP but every constituent understands that Ndhiwa is currently disintegrated due to inadequate distribution of resources due to the previous leadership. My principle objective is to unite the people of Ndhiwa through equal distribution of resources to enhance development in all parts of the constituency,” he added.

He confirmed that a team of KANU officials were expected in the region to boost his campaigns ahead of the by-election.

“The likes of Gideon Moi have confirmed to come as soon as I launch my campaigns officially later this week,” Alila commented.

Rights infringed

The 14 who had resolved to support Alila are among the 21 candidates who were disillusioned by the manner in which ODM elections board conducted its nomination nearly two weeks ago.

During the election, Augustino Neto Oyugi was declared the winner by the nomination returning officer.

The declaration of Mr Oyugi as the winner left the other contestants in doubt as they demanded to know what they got but nobody was ready to give them.

Impeccable sources revealed to the Standard that the irate ODM constants had held meetings both in Nairobi and Ndhiwa to come up with a way of disciplining ODM for infringing their rights.

The sources revealed that their first meeting to chat the way forward was held in one of the hotels in Nairobi after they had disagreed with the party officials who tricked them to go to Orange House to be addressed by the party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga who failed to do so.

“Time has come when ODM secretariat should desist from imposing leaders on people. We have taken this action to ensure that Mr Alila wins this seat. However we are still ODM members,” said one of the sources.

The former aspirants included Dancun Osodo who was later declared the second after Oyugi, Ogutu Kalee, James Omamo, Robinson Mireje, Kennedy Oduru among others.

Monica Amolo who is a member of the party secretariat applauded her colleagues who had joined the KANU camp saying it was their right to do so after their rights had been violated by ODM.

Mrs Amolo said she was awaiting the aspirants to seek her vote for the by-election