Stop meddling in Orange party politics, elders caution Oburu Odinga

Some of the Suba Council of Elders

Nominated MP Oburu Oginga has been accused of meddling in the preparations for the Orange Democratic Movement party nominations.

Oburu is said to be using the Odinga name to campaign for certain candidates.

The Suba Council of Elders claimed Oburu, who is Opposition leader Raila Odinga's older brother, was perpetrating voter apathy, which could affect Raila's bid for the presidency.

Addressing journalists in Homa Bay town yesterday, the elders expressed dissatisfaction with Oburu's efforts to endorse Suba MP John Mbadi in the race for the Suba parliamentary seat.

The contest for the seat has pitted Mr Mbadi, who is the ODM national chairman, against Raila's former chief of staff, Caroli Omondi. The other aspirant is Jackline Nyandeje.

Last Monday, the nominated MP led a campaign for Mbadi and asked Mr Omondi to drop his bid for the position.

Oburu argued that Mbadi was an asset to the party and should therefore be re-elected.

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He said Omondi could still be given a job of his choice if the National Super Alliance (NASA) formed the next government.

"Caroli should not make Mbadi sweat so much for this seat. I can negotiate with him to drop his bid," said Oburu.

But yesterday, the elders, led by their chairman Simon Kayako and secretary Jacob Mang'ira, expressed concern about the nominated MP's utterances.

Mr Kayako said Oburu's words created a perception in the area that he (Oburu) had been sent by Raila.

"We are worried that Oburu came here to endorse Mbadi for this seat. Many Suba residents will tend to think that he has been sent by Raila, who is the political supremo in the region. We do not agree with him," said Kayako.

The elders argued that taking sides in the race could cause voter apathy.

"We need all Orange party MPs and officials to give Suba constituents an opportunity to elect leaders of their choice. It does not matter whether it is Caroli or Mbadi who wins the ODM ticket; the most important thing is that we need neutrality in the nominations," said Clement Okondo, a council member.

The elders told Oburu to stop interfering in Nyanza region politics.

"We want Oburu to go and campaign for Raila outside Nyanza region if he wants him to be president. What he is doing is tantamount to spoiling Raila's support," said Mr Mang'ira.

The elders appealed to the ODM National Elections Board not to award Mbadi a nomination ticket on grounds that he is the party's national chairman.