PM Odinga disowns Midiwo on Siaya nomination remarks
PHOTO | TOM OTIENO Lands Minister James Orengo (left) consults with Finance Assistant Minister Oburu Oginga during a past meeting. Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo recently claimed that Dr Oburu Oginga had direct nomination for the Siaya gubernatorial race
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has disowned Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo over claims that his brother Dr Oburu Oginga has already been offered a direct nomination in the Siaya gubernatorial race.
A statement from Mr Odinga’s campaign secretariat chief said that the PM has no preferred candidate for any seat anywhere in the country including Siaya County.
Mr Odinga’s chief campaign manager Mr Eliud Owallo described the statements by Mr Midiwo as unfortunate and told party supporters that the views were in total contrast with the PM’s views on the nomination process.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports in the print and social media attributed to certain politicians to the effect that certain candidates contesting for political positions on ODM Party ticket have already been granted direct nomination. The Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat re-affirms that Prime Minister Raila Odinga has no preferred candidate for any political position whatsoever,” Mr Owallo said.
Mr Owallo said that whereas politicians were free to form alliances and hold discussions on how to handle the nominations, PM Odinga had no role to play in such talks and their outcomes.
He insisted that PM Odinga is keen on a transparent, free and fair nomination process adding that aspirants in the race for the Siaya gubernatorial seat should not worry.
“The Prime Minister would wish to see an appropriate framework through which aspirants for all positions on ODM ticket are subjected to an impartial nomination process, with the result that the losers will not only support their hitherto opponents but also aggressively campaign for Hon Raila Odinga’s Presidential candidature,” he said.
On Wednesday Mr Midiwo asked Dr Oginga’s opponents in the Siaya race to defect from ODM claiming the assistant minister has already been grunted a direct ticket.
“Other people who still want to run can go to other parties and try their luck there.ODM has already decided that Dr Oburu is the governor,” Mr Midiwo reportedly said.
His remarks attracted bashing from social media commentators who accused him of being insensitive to Mr Odinga’s campaign that was counting on every vote including those being asked to defect.
