I did not propose my ‘two wives’ to party list – ODM boss

 ODM national Election Board Chairman Judith Pareno, Board Member Peter Odoyo (right), and Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen (left)

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen has defended his wife's inclusion on the party list for nominated leaders.

Emily Oduor was listed among those to be picked under 'gender top up' by ODM in the County Assembly of Nairobi but party members complained.

Mr Ong'wen denied claims that he pushed the names of his "wives and children" to the list.

"For some time now, there has been talk to the effect that I, Oduor Ong'wen, took advantage of my position as the party's executive director to propose my 'two wives', children, sister-in-law, secretary and girlfriends for the party lists," he said.

Ong'wen claimed some party members were mobilising others, especially women leaders, to protest over the matter.

The ODM leader said he declared a conflict of interest at the meeting of the party's Central Committee on June 23, 2017, which resolved that his wife should be included on the party list.

He declared that he had only one wife and that she was applying for nomination not because of him but because of her role in the party and the struggle for democratisation. 

Ong'wen said his wife was among three people who published Mayienga newspaper between 1993 and 1998.

"I have three children and none of them even contemplated applying for nomination," he said.