ODM could back Governor Ruto’s candidate or go it alone in Kericho senatorial by-election

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) sits next week to decide if the party will field a candidate in the March 7 Kericho senatorial by-election.

ODM chairman John Mbadi said the party’s NEC will be meeting on Tuesday to chat the way forward.

“We have not decided yet because only NEC has the authority to decide. For now, any information on the party’s decision will be hearsay as it has not been ratified by NEC,” said Mbadi.

Should the party decide not to field a candidate, it is widely expected it will throw its weight behind Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s candidate, Mr Paul Sang of Kanu.

Governor Ruto is opposed to the Jubilee Alliance Party and is now is now focusing on giving his supporters an alternative political route under the Mashinani Development Party of Kenya.

The decision by former premier Raila Odinga’s ODM to support Ruto may be viewed as a strategy to weaken Deputy President William Ruto’s influence in the region and to a larger extent to ruin Jubilee fortunes ahead of 2017 General Election.

Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said ODM would come up with a decision soon.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, however, urged CORD to support Governor Ruto’s candidate in the by-election.

“This by-election offers a unique opportunity for us to support Isaac Ruto’s candidate as an indicator of how we shall build new alliances to split the Kalenjin vote in 2017,” said Khalwale.

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati shared the same view, saying their support for Sang will be the start of a long time relationship ahead of 2017 polls. He said ODM was not scared of any party and could field a candidate anywhere, but stated that no candidate had come out to express  interest in contesting the seat.

“Once we have a candidate from ODM, we will support and campaign for him vigorously and he must be a strong one and of substance. In the absence of one, we will support Governor Ruto’s candidate as he has been a friend of CORD for a very long time,” said Arati.

Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo said a decision had not been made but it would be a good political move for ODM to test itself popularity in Kericho by fielding a candidate.

Ideal chance

“I think it would be a good opportunity for us to test how the ground has shifted since 2013,” said Gumbo.

Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga said it was time for ODM to build more alliances in the Rift Valley.

He said Rift Valley was for many years an ODM stronghold and it was time the party revived its networks in the vote-rich zone.

“ODM is a national party respected and liked by so many people and nothing stops it from fielding a candidate in Kericho County. In any case, that has been an ODM zone for many years. In politics, people don’t become permanent energies. This might be a great political opportunity for the Orange party as it prepares for 2017,” Anyanga told The Standard on Sunday on phone.

Anyanga, who is also the chairman of the Migori Parliamentary Group, said Jubilee should not write off ODM’s popularity in the vote-rich Rift Valley.

The Nyatike MP said it would not be a surprise if Kericho residents elected an ODM candidate in the March 7 by-election, adding the region has never had any problems with Raila as a person.

Migori Senator Wilfred Machage said a parliamentary group meeting had not been called to discuss the matter and that it is the party’s leadership that will decide.

“We put our leaders there and entrust them to make a decision on our behalf. Whatever they will decide, we shall follow,” said Machage, adding that Kericho County should not undermine Raila’s ability to marshal support for an ODM candidate.