By P, KNA
Some aspirants for the Ugunja by elections have cried foul over the planned Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) primaries claiming that some party officials were misleading voters to give other candidates undue advantage during the exercise.
The disgruntled politicians keen on securing the ODM ticket accused some party stalwarts of misleading voters that the by-elections in the constituency will end with the party nominations.
Dr. Maurice Okumu, who has declared interest for the Ugunja seat underscored the need for all parliamentary aspirants to tell local voters the truth in regard to the forth coming by elections to fill the position left by the current Energy Minister, Opiyo Wandayi who resigned to join the broad based government.
ODM is scheduled to conduct its party primaries coming on Friday September 26, ahead of the by election set for November 27 this year.
Okumu, who addressed the media in Ugunja town urged the local residents to ensure that they vote in a focused and capable leader, who will champion their rights.
He at the same time announced his entry into the race saying that he will not be seeking the ODM party ticket despite being one of the party’s founding members.
Okumu said he will unveil the vehicle he will use to seek election during the submission of papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission next month.
Members of his campaign team, led by chairman Stephen Nalo appealed to the residents to uphold peace throughout the nomination period and encouraged professionals from Ugunja to organize a public forum where aspirants can be vetted by the electorate.
His sentiments were supported by Maroko Sijenyi who said that elections must not cause division of the community.
