Another candidate declares interest in ODM elections

ODM Secretary for political affairs Opiyo Wandayi and ODM Homa Bay County Chairperson Gladys Wanga addresses the media at the party's Headquarters in Nairobi on Monday 09/03/15. PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

A third force has emerged in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Homa Bay elections.

Outgoing Vice Chairman Tom Dola has announced his candidature to battle camps led by Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma and another one led by Woman Rep Gladys Wanga.

Ms Wanga, who has been acting as chairman, has been at loggerheads with Mr Kaluma following the death of the former chair, Monica Amolo, early this year. Wanga was appointed to act in the position by the party's national office after the vice chair was stripped off the role.

Coming barely a week to the elections set for Sunday, Mr Dola has claimed that the county's party branch executive handed him the leadership after the demise of the chair, and that Wanga was to hold the position for three months to pave way for an election.

Dola said the two camps have had bad blood and should any of them take up the leadership, the county would be plunged into political division.

"Homa Bay is the heart of ODM and the region is keenly targeted by the party's enemies ahead of the 2017 General Election, thus no chance should be given for division," said Dola.

Speaking in Kisumu yesterday, he called on delegates to avoid elected leaders whom he accused of jostling party positions for the sake of it.