ODM tells defectors to keep off polls
ODM National Election Board chairperson Judy Pareno (left) and board member Peter Odayo address the press at Orange House in the past. ODM now plans to lock out politicians who decamped from the party after they lost nominations for its ticket in previous elections from participating in the fourth coming grassroots polls. FILE PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Ms Pareno who is also an East African Legislative Assembly MP said that the party would undertake thorough vetting to ensure the management of its affairs on the ground was bestowed on committed leadership that is loyal to party principles.
- Many political aspirants and incumbents plan to use the polls as mid-term tests against their opponents in the run-up to the 2017 General Election.
- Many party members decamped to Wiper Democratic Movement, Ford Kenya, Tip Tip, People’s Democratic Party among others after the nomination chaos in 2013.
ODM now plans to lock out politicians who decamped from the party after they lost nominations for its ticket in previous elections from participating in the fourth coming grassroots polls.
The party’s National Elections Board chairperson, Ms Judy Pareno, announced that no party-hoppers would be cleared to contest in the coming elections.
Ms Pareno who is also an East African Legislative Assembly MP said that the party would undertake thorough vetting to ensure the management of its affairs on the ground was bestowed on committed leadership that is loyal to party principles.
“We are not going to allow anyone who defected from ODM to come and dislodge the loyal members of the party,” Ms Pareno said.
She was speaking during a workshop held in Nairobi organised to sensitise party officials in areas where grassroots’ elections is expected to be rolled out from July 31.
Many political aspirants and incumbents plan to use the polls as mid-term tests against their opponents in the run-up to the 2017 General Election.
Prominent party members have been registering in droves as they plan to outwit political competitors in the coming polls.
The decision to block defectors may affect several people who previously contested for seats in the County Assembly, National Assembly, Senate and for governorship but decamped after losing in the previous party primaries.
Many party members decamped to Wiper Democratic Movement, Ford Kenya, Tip Tip, People’s Democratic Party among others after the nomination chaos in 2013.
ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen assured MPs and party supporters that the grassroots elections would be free, fair and transparent.
“As the Secretariat, we shall work with the National Elections Board to ensure this exercise is successful,” said Mr Ong’wen.
He cautioned party officials that his office would not tolerate the habit of some individuals generating lists of party officials without following the right procedure.
“I must make it clear here that I will not accept any list from anyone. The only list I will accept is the one that will be given to me by the Hon. Pareno” he told the delegates.
The first phase of the grassroots election will be held in Nairobi, Vihiga, Kajiado, Wajir, Marsabit, Migori and Vihiga Counties.
