ODM defectors find home in new parties

The race for Homa Bay senatorial seat is taking shape after defectors found new parties and vowed to press on against Moses Kajwang’, who clinched the ODM ticket.

Former Rangwe MP Philip Okundi joined the little known Maendeleo Democratic Party (MDP) while one-time National Social Security Fund Managing Trustee Fred Rabongo was cleared to contest on the National Agenda Party of Kenya.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s personal assistant Silas Jakakimba, who also defected from ODM, is expected to run on a new political outfit.

Mr Okundi dismissed an alleged power-sharing deal between various constituencies in the county arguing that voters were never consulted by the architects of that deal.

Mr Jakakimba denied that he had attempted to secure the United Republican Party ticket.

On Friday, ODM Director of Elections, Mr Junet Mohammed, played down the defections noting that the party will defeat its opponents. “I am challenging Mr Okundi and Mr Rabongo to tell us when their new parties conducted nominations,” he said.

ELABORATE STRATEGY

Mr Hilary Alila, an independent candidate, said the electoral commission has cleared him and he is working on an elaborate campaign strategy. Meanwhile, Mr Kajwang is set to officially unveil his candidature on Saturday.

Mr Kajwang’ will be accompanied by several MPs from the county and party officials from the region.

On Friday, the ODM nominee held a day-long meeting with a section of MPs and party officials in a hotel in Kisumu to strategise on Saturday’s event.

The by-election occasioned by the death of Senator Otieno Kajwang will be held on February 12.

Additional reporting by Maurice Kaluoch