Ochillo Ayacko to contest Migori governor seat

Former cabinet minister Ochillo Ayacko has declared his candidature for the Migori governorship seat.

He declared his interest in the seat and said ODM should conduct free and fair nominations.

“The Orange party must do justice to its members by ensuring that credible party nominations are held to pick the most popular flag-bearer or else a big shock may occur,” said Mr Ayacko.

He added: “Some people have been purporting to speak for me, claiming that I have quit the race. I speak for myself and I am in the contest to the end.”

The former Rongo MP said dynamics in Migori County were very unique necessitating the need for free and fair party nominations.

“We are keenly following the electoral processes in ODM with regard to this by-election,” noted Mr Ayacko.

Some ODM leaders have argued that Prof Edward Oyugi, whose petition ousted former governor Okoth Obado, should be given direct nomination.

Among them is Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who said that subjecting Prof Oyugi to nominations would be unfair since he is the one who dethroned Mr Obado.

“Prof Oyugi was and remains a strong candidate for the seat. It would therefore be bad to subject him to nominations, in which ODM opponents are likely to get a chance to bring in a weak candidate,” he said.

He cited a case of Siaya County where Mr Cornel Rasanga was handed a ticket to defend his seat after the High Court nullified his win.

“The decision saved the party unnecessary rifts. We want the same done to the people of Migori,” said Mr Mohammed.

Mr Ondu Abade, an ODM activist from region said they were ready to vote for another candidate if ODM bungled its nominations.

“The circumstances here are very different from Siaya by-elections which was won by ODM and if somebody is doubting the seriousness of this matter, let them not heed our demands,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Migori Senator Wilfred Machage (ODM) has put his party on notice over the impending by-election.

“Conduct credible, free and fair nominations or lose the seat again. The party lost the seat in the last polls due to chaotic primaries and it may happen again.

“We wish that ODM captures the seat but that will largely depend on how we handle ourselves during the party nominations,” he told the Nation on phone.