Raila asked to vie in Homa Bay

Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga (pictured) has revisited his call to have former Prime Minister Raila Odinga run for the Homa Bay senatorial seat.

The MP said after the aborted nomination, where the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was supposed to elect its flag-bearer for the February 2 by election, only Raila can now unify the already divided county.

Speaking to the press at Lwanda Konyango in Nyatike, Anyanga said he will talk to Raila to have him reconsider his decision not to run for the seat.

"I am mourning my mother who passed on at Mater hospital in Nairobi on Thursday last week. After we bury her on Saturday, I will talk to my party leader and convince him to vie for the Homa Bay seat," he said.

Though his first call on the former prime minister was met with mixed reactions from county residents, Anyanga is optimistic that this time round, Raila will agree.

"The party has no time to nominate its candidate. This is a high-stakes political seat and it is only Raila who is adored by Nyanza residents and can calm down the temperatures by vying for the seat," he said.

BEST PICK

The MP said Raila is most suited to replace the late Otieno Kajwang' adding that his election will give residents time to carry out peaceful nominations in 2017 where they can then identify a person from the county to represent them.

So far, aspirants who have expressed interest in the Homa Bay seat include Kenya Professional Boxing Commission chairman Hillary Alila who was second to Kajwang' in the 2013 general election.

Others include former Rangwe MP Phillip Okundi, businessman Sam Wakiaga, former Gwasi MP Felix Nyauchi, former NSSF Managing Trustee Fred Rabongo, former Sony Sugar Board chairman Herbert Ojwang, politician Kenneth Kambona, Raila's aide Caroli Omondi, Silas Jakakimba and the late kajwang's brother Moses Kajwang.

Anyanga's initial call to have Raila vie for the seat was backed by various county leaders - including the governor, MCAs and MPs, ODM branch officials, Luo Council of elders and other leaders from Luo Nyanza region.

Despite these endorsements, various county residents protested saying the people of Homa Bay should be given a free hand to decide who is going to be their next senator.