Blame game ensues over ODM exercise

HOMA BAY COUNTY: Leaders have engaged in counter-accusations after the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) bungled nomination in Homa Bay.

Local MPs tore into each other following Monday’s chaotic ODM exercise to pick a candidate for the county’s senatorial seat.

In an event reminiscent of the party’s botched national elections in February, goons overturned tables and chairs, destroying ballot boxes and voting papers.

This led to the cancellation of the process seeking to pick a replacement for the late Senator Otieno Kajwang’.

While some blamed the party leadership for going into the nomination process determined to push for their preferred candidate, Rangwe MP George Oner accused a Nairobi-based MP for the chaos.

Caroli Omondi, who was one of the aspirants contesting for the ODM ticket, said one of his opponent’s should be disqualified.

“This violent disruption of the nomination was intended to deny the people of Homa Bay County the opportunity to freely nominate their next senator. As I enjoy the widest support among the delegates and residents across all the eight sub-branches of the county, I demand that the party issues me with a nomination certificate immediately,” he said.

However, Hillary Alila backed ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba’s position that all party delegates from the county should participate in the exercise.

“When ODM holds a sham election like this one, it loses many followers. Let us have a free and fair nomination and I am sure I will win the ticket. If this does not happen, I will vie on another CORD affiliated party and win the seat,” Alila said.

But, Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma claimed the chaos was arranged by some local leaders.

“Some MPs from Homa Bay funded the chaos while keeping away from the venue where they were supposed to be delegates. In my life, I have never seen such a bad political process,” said Kaluma.

Some of the contentious issues were alleged alteration of the delegates register, bribery and accusations that some of the aspirants had hidden a number of delegates in Tanzania in order for them to vote in their favour.

DITCH ODM

Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo called on the party to act quickly and save the situation.

“The party should reconvene and get a competent candidate who can represent Homa Bay County in the Senate. This should be done in a manner that recognises all the county’s voters,” said Ms Odhiambo.

Some candidates, however, said they would jump ship and contest on other parties affiliated to CORD or vie as independent candidates if they remained unsatisfied with the way ODM handled the matter.

Former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo claimed the chaos was anticipated following the manner in which the arrangements for the polls were conducted.