Kisumu Central ODM voters take to the ballot again

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominations in Kisumu Central Constituency will be held afresh.

Some voters were still unsure where they would cast their votes as learning had resumed in the schools where they had cast their ballots two weeks ago.

ODM National Elections Board (NEB) directed that a repeat nomination be carried out on May 16, in keeping with a legal decree issued by the High Court.

"The exercise will only be for the MP's position, whose earlier result was contested and ended up in court," ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale said in a statement.

Mr Etale said the polling stations would open at 6am and close at 5pm.

On Friday last week, the Court of Appeal directed ODM to repeat the exercise. Former TNA Secretary General Onyango Oloo went to the court after the incumbent Ken Obura was declared the winner by a lower court.

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The High Court directed ODM to repeat the nominations within 72 hours, and faulted the Political Parties Tribunal for dismissing Mr Oloo's appeal.

Earlier, Mr Obura had been declared the legitimate winner by the tribunal's chairman Justice Kyalo Mbobu. Still, Oloo challenged Obura's nomination, citing massive electoral offences.

Mbobu argued in his ruling that the constituency election panel chairman assumed the role of returning officer in disregard of NEB to declare Oloo the winner.

Another aspirant, Fred Ouda, had also claimed to be the bona fide ODM nominee, further confusing Kisumu Central voters.

Voters have been left guessing who won and therefore a majority of them are looking forward to the repeat election.

Some aspirants prefer mlolongo (queuing) system while others want secret balloting. However, the aspirants said the party would give direction on that.

It emerged the aspirants were summoned by party leader Raila Odinga and told to be ready to accept the verdict of the voters.

Insiders said Raila during the meeting held at night on the eve of NASA's Nakuru rally, told losers to back the winner.