Kisumu mayoral poll cancelled

By Nicholas Anyuor

Controversy has hit Kisumu mayoral elections after the Town Clerk postponed the polls indefinitely to pave way for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots elections scheduled on Friday.

In a memo, Town Clerk Daniel ole Nkere wrote: "The postponement has been necessitated by ODM party elections that will be starting on July 1. Councillors are members of the party."

The clerk, however, noted that the council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) notice for mayoral election was given before ODM election dates were announced.

The move caused uproar among councillors allied to Town Planning Committee chairman, Odhiambo Oyolo, who is challenging the incumbent, Sam Okello.

Ole Nkere appealed to the councillors to treat the postponement as an honest and objective intervention.

On Saturday, youths displayed protest placards against Okello at a function attended by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Rescheduled elections

The youth wanted Raila to keep off the mayoral elections and allow councillors to elect a mayor of their choice.

But Raila supported Okello’s re-election saying he has done commendable work for Kisumu.

On Monday, councillor Jack Onunga, the spokesperson for the Okello camp, said they were happy with rescheduling of the elections to allow them to participate in party polls.

"We are members of ODM. It was prudent that we participate in the exercise. We are confident that we will win in the rescheduled elections," he said.

But councillor Elly Okatch Asembo, an ally to Oyolo, wondered at the wisdom of postponing the elections and how party activities could interfere with a Local Government Ministry exercise.

"We have two councillors who are not members of ODM. What explanations would the clerk give to them for postponing the elections? Is the clerk also becoming a political player in the mayoral elections, or is he a civil servant?’’ he asked.

New mayor

But Oyolo downplayed the postponement saying it will not change their resolve to elect a new mayor for Kisumu.

"We will come from Uganda and set another date because we want fair play. We are ready for the elections,’ he said in a telephone interview.