Several men and women from Luo Nyanza who hope to contest in future elections are silently scheming to defy Raila Odinga and his party of choice in future.
In the last elections in 2017, many aspirants complained of shambolic nominations in ODM.
Some candidates were openly rigged out and had to either decamp to other parties or drop out of the race altogether.
During the elections, Migori, Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties had Suna West MP Peter Masara on an independent ticket, Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch on Ford Kenya, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir Independent and David Ochieng’ of MDG in Ugenya.
In May 2019, Luo Nyanza leaders allied to ODM leader Raila Odinga led a charm offensive to foster unity in their backyard by courting leaders voted in other parties.
Through the informal group ‘Duol’, derived from Luo tradition of sitting around a fire in the evening, the group sought to bring unity in Odinga’s backyard to push for a referendum ahead of 2022 general elections.
“We respect the decision by voters to elect all leaders since Nyanza is an ODM stronghold and as the Luo community, our de facto leader is Odinga, so we are all in the same boat,” Seme MP James Nyikal, the Duol chairman, said then.
Meeting at a Nairobi Hotel, the leaders who wanted their meeting kept secret said they are mulling over “walking alone” in future elections because if Raila retains his ODM, they will be rigged out.
“Raila is now working with Uhuru Kenyatta. They are eager to bring a referendum and change the constitution. However, if ODM is retained, we will simply prepare our supporters and go all the way to the ballot. There is no need of taking part in shambolic ODM nominations and any other Party associated with Raila,” said one of the female aspirants.
Politicians who have been rigged out by ODM in the primaries include 2013 Siaya County Governor hopeful William Oduol, Migori Governor Okoth Obado who clinched the seat on a PDP ticket in 2013, former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma , former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo among others.
The Politicians said they will not repeat the mistakes they made in the past and that its better to lose at the final ballot than be rigged out.
If they make good their threat, they will contribute immensely to Raila and the Odinga’s family waning influence in Luo Nyanza.
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