ODM elections board picks Moses Kajwang’ for Homa Bay senatorial race

Moses Kajwang'.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) picked Moses Kajwang’ as its flag bearer in the February 2015 Homa Bay Senatorial by-election, sparking discontent from other aspirants.

ODM National Elections Board Chairperson Judy Pareno, while making the announcement at Orange House yesterday, said several factors, including a report based on a survey carried out in Homa Bay to determine candidates popularity, were considered.

Mrs Pareno, who was accompanied by board members Amana Mwajirani, Nancy Abisai and Hellen Katangie, said the nomination of Kajwang’ was a unanimous decision.

She thanked Fred Rabong’o, Caroli Omondi, Philip Okundi, George Mboya, Silas Jakakimba, Oscar Kambona and Kajwang’, all who were vying for the party ticket, for being supportive during the process.

The Board will now issue Kajwang’ with the nomination certificate to allow him to present the papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in January next year.

ODM Political Affairs Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the board had met all the candidates and the National Executive Council (NEC) and agreed that they would use direct nomination instead of universal suffrage.

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The agreement between the candidates, NEB and NEC was precipitated by the time constraints given by IEBC.

Wandayi said all candidates are ODM members and should support Kajwang’.

“We therefore don’t expect rebellion because all the candidates agreed on the process. We would have loved the candidate be picked by the electorate but we were limited by time,” he said. Wandayi, who is also the Ugunja MP, said ODM considered the support base for each of the candidate, strengths and weaknesses and regional balance.

He said the party had done its research on the suitable candidate, and are convinced Kajwang’ will be a person most liked in the county.

Interestingly, Moses will now face a more established Hillary Alila who apart from the local networks has got the financial muscle to bankroll a serious campaign.

Alila gave the late Kajwang’ a run for his money during the 2013 general elections after ditching ODM for Peoples Democratic Party.

IEBC extended the deadline for party primaries to December 27 and parties’ nominees will present their nomination papers on January 15 and 16, 2015.