How I went against the ODM wave to clinch a governor’s seat in Nyanza

In Nyanza especially in Raila’s home turf, it is always believed that for one to be voted in as a leader he must vie on the most popular party in the region at that time.

Migori Governor Okoth Obando during an exclusive interview with the Standard said that he did not lose hope having been denied an ODM ticket during the nominations despite him getting the highest number of votes.

According to him, he was in ODM up to the nomination process where he won the ODM nomination by over 60 per cent but the ticket was given to Prof. Oyugi Akong’o.

Obanda said that going by what he believed he used Peoples Democratic Party to clinch the top Migori county seat.

He said he had a strong backing from the residents that is why he was elected on a less popular party ticket beating his opponents.

"when I realised that I was not going to be given the certificate I consulted with my supporters who told me to get a valid certificate of which they will just vote me in. The only one available was that one of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” said Obando.

Additionally, he said that it has not been easy for him because for almost one and a half years he has been going to court because of a political petition.

Meanwhile, Obando has ditched the party that sponsored him to be elected as a governor of Migori and joined ODM.

 Obado’s entry to ODM has complicated issues to some politicians like the former Rongo MP Ochillo Ayacko who has also declared an interest in the seat, as well as Engineer Mark Nyamita, who contested the seat in 2013 and lost.