Okundi receives ticket to vie in mini poll, blames Orange Democratic Party for betrayal

One of the aspirants for the Homa Bay senatorial by-election, Philip Okundi, has said the botched Orange Democratic Party (ODM) nominations forced him to decamp from the party and seek election on the ticket of a different party.

Nomination certificate

The former Rangwe Member of Parliament yesterday received his nomination certificate from the Maendeleo Democratic Party (MDP) and declared that his former party had betrayed him by failing to conduct free and fair nominations.

"I left because of the shambolic nomination process. A party that I served so dearly and so loyally for a very long time went ahead to nominate the least qualified person," said Okundi while receiving the nomination certificate from the chair of the party's election board Joseph Omukanda.

The Homa Bay senatorial by-election poll is expected to be held on February 2.

ODM has been faced with internal wrangles after it gave a direct ticket to Moses Kajwang'. On Sunday, a convoy campaigning for Kajwang' was attacked by goons.

Okundi denied that he was one of the organisers of the violence, which took place in his stronghold Rangwe constituency. During the violence, a number of MPs campaigning for Kajwang' were reportedly injured.

"I'm a peaceful person and I ask all contestants to embrace peaceful campaigns. The violence has taken place even in places believed to be strongholds of my rivals," claimed Okundi.

MDP Secretary General Sadjah Philippe said that the party was not allied to either the Jubilee or CORD coalitions.

Apart from Kajwang' and Okundi, another candidate expected to contest for the seat is Silas Jakakimba who also decamped from ODM to the United Democratic Party.

Democratic will

"I'm not happy. They have the right to do what they did, but the people of Homa Bay were not impressed. They are looking for a mature and experienced person to lead them. I wish to leave a rich legacy of a stable, prosperous and united county where all people can benefit. After very serious consultations, I decided that it important to allow the democratic will of the people to prevail," said Okundi.