Focus likely to be on Homa Bay during ODM elections
What you need to know:
The fight for the coveted chairman’s slot in Homa Bay is a two–horse race between Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma and County Women Representative Gladys Wanga.
Although political analysts say Mr Kaluma is likely to turn the tables on Mrs Wanga, supporters of the Women Representative insist she has an edge over him.
Some youths have accused Mrs Wanga of using youths to wage defamatory and inciting campaigns against her opponents on social media.
When ODM starts grassroots elections in three Nyanza counties on Sunday, the focus is likely to be on Homa Bay because of previous incidents of violent battles for seats there.
Chaos was witnessed during the Homa Bay senatorial by-election in February.
On Friday, Homa Bay County Commissioner Kassim Farah issued a stern warning against any form of violence during the exercise, which will last four days.
With the post of county ODM chairman having attracted a lot of interest because of the belief that its holder may play a crucial role in the party’s nominations come 2017 when the next general election will be held, the stakes are high.
TWO-HORSE RACE
The fight for the coveted chairman’s slot in Homa Bay is a two–horse race between Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma and County Women Representative Gladys Wanga.
Although political analysts say Mr Kaluma is likely to turn the tables on Mrs Wanga, supporters of the Women Representative insist she has an edge over him.
“The general feeling is that Mrs Wanga has her hands full and may not run the party affairs well,” political analyst George Obange said.
“Mrs Wanga is the vice chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission. As woman MP, her services are needed in all the eight sub-counties. Getting the chairmanship will overburden her.”
According to Mr Obange, Mrs Wanga’s “high temperament” could work against her.
He said voters wanted a leader who could reconcile the party leaders and supporters following a fallout occasioned by the senatorial by-election in February.
SOCIAL MEDIA MUDSLINGING
Some youths have accused Mrs Wanga of using youths to wage defamatory and inciting campaigns against her opponents on social media.
The youths took issue with the claim by pro-Wanga supporters that Mr Kaluma was getting support from the county government.
But Mrs Wanga has said she has been a peace crusader and unifying factor.
“Since I took over as acting chairman, I have managed to reconcile the party leaders,” she said at a campaign rally in Kabondo Kasipul last weekend. “My supporters have also been under firm instructions not to harass my opponents.”
Mr Kaluma has not escaped criticism. He has been termed arrogant by some people
The result of the ODM election for the chairman’s post in Homa bay will therefore depend on which camp between that of Kaluma and Wanga does its homework and campaign properly.
It is however feared that the ODM Elections Board might be forced to cancel the elections at the county level should the two camps differ.
This would pave the way for the party bigwigs’ adoption of the unpopular boardroom decision to pick officials.
