By D, KNA
As campaigns for Kasipul constituency by elections draw to a close, Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga pulled a surprise move by endorsing independent candidate Philip Aroko for the seat.
The raised eyebrows as it goes against a directive by ODM party top brass for members to support the party nominee Boyd Were whose candidature and subsequent nomination stirred division in the party.
Most party members including Governor Gladys Wanga and Members of County Assembly have been campaigning for their candidate with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi appealing to officials of the ruling party UDA to back the orange party candidate in the spirit of the broad based arrangement.
“We are in the broad based government and should support Boyd Were,” the cabinet secretary said.
Mr Magwanga however said he was not ready to support the ODM candidate.
The Deputy Governor said that the nomination process when Boyd was identified as the party’s flag bearer was not free and fair.
Mr Magwanga said the nomination process was infiltrated by people from other regions whose intention was to interfere with voting and manipulate the outcome.
“There is no law that says that if a leader dies, it is his son who should replace him. I have been told to support Boyd. But I will not,” he declared.
The Deputy Governor also raised concern about cases of violence in the region.
Mr Magwanga argued that the outcome of the party primaries did not adhere to the principle of democracy.