Campaigns for the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) six-piece voting in Nyanza have taken a new twist, following an announcement by George Wanga, the husband of Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, to support the candidature of Oyugi Magwanga, an independent candidate.
Gladys Wanga and nominated MP Oburu Odinga were appointed to spearhead NASA’s Nyanza campaigns for Raila Odinga and root for candidates seeking elective positions on ODM tickets in the four Luo Nyanza counties.
George Wanga, a flamboyant banker, who recently backed Magwanga’s Homa Bay gubernatorial bid during a political rally in Homa Bay County, shocked residents when he said he cannot “advocate for the six-piece voting following massive looting orchestrated by the current county leadership.”
Wanga said that “You know my wife is on the other side because she is forced to support unpopular candidates by top ODM officials. Know that we are supporting Magwanga’s bid because he is a performer.”
He went on to ask the voters to ignore the six-piece voting and vote for Raila Odinga, Magwanga and his wife Gladys Wanga to retain her Woman Representative position.
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“Please ignore the six-piece voting; vote for Odinga, Magwanga and then remember my wife,” said Wanga amidst cheers from the crowd.
The announcement elicited mixed reactions, raising questions on Glady’s Wanga’s commitment to advance the interests of ODM and its leader.
A section of ODM supporters in the county read mischief in George Wanga’s announcement, saying that he is representing interests of his wife “whose hands are tied” following her position as the party’s chairperson in the county.
The Wanga-Oburu team has met stiff resistance in their six-piece campaigns in the region following the ODM bungled nominations that saw some popular candidates missing out on the party ticket and sparking a rebellion against the six-piece voting advocated by ODM.
