By P, KNA
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, Siaya County Elections Committee Chairman, Charles Onguko, has issued a stern warning to hired goons and anybody not registered as a voter at a particular polling centre during the forthcoming party primaries in Ugunja constituency.
Onguko declared that no one will be allowed to access the venues of the party primaries unless they are registered as voters in that particular polling station.
Addressing journalists in Siaya town today, Onguko warned the aspirants seeking to fly the party ticket that the party will not entertain acts of violence meant to derail the process that is slated for Friday, September 26,2025.
“Aspirants should not come with goons or thugs to provide security at the polling stations or the tallying centre,” he said adding “if you have your security, ask them to keep off our polling stations”.
Onguko, who was flanked by another member of the county elections committee, Tony Ogola, assured the aspirants and the public of their security, adding that his committee has been in touch with the office of the county police commander and the Ugunja sub county police commander over security matters.
He said that only those in the party register will be allowed to participate in the exercise, adding that the members will be identified electronically.
The elections committee chairman told party members to dial *483*036# to check their membership status and where they will be casting their votes during the party primaries to avoid last minute disappointment.
County elections committee member, Tony Ogola said they were fully prepared for the exercise, adding that a total of 33 polling stations have been published.
Ogola said that they were currently receiving elections materials in readiness for the exercise.
Yesterday, Politicians seeking to fly the Orange Democratic Movement flag during the forthcoming Ugunja constituency by elections raised a red flag over alleged plans to rig the party’s nominations in favour of a relative of a former member of parliament.
According to the candidates and their supporters, delay by the ODM headquarters to address several glaring gaps could be part of the wider scheme to ensure that a nephew of a senior government official enjoys a head start ahead of his competitors.
Speaking separately in Ugunja town, ODM members led by a candidate in Friday’s party nominations, Engineer Fredrick Z.B. Owino, youth leader, Emmanuel Odhiambo and women leader, Mary Anyango Nyaudo at the same time called on security agencies to act on reports that some political aspirants were planning violence on Friday, the day the party will conduct its primaries in Ugunja constituency.
Youth leader Odhiambo said the party headquarters will have to urgently address the gaps if it was to safeguard the integrity of the exercise.
“These primaries are a defining moment for our constituency and ODM must ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
Among the issues that the members want the party headquarters to address, Odhiambo said, was the uploading of new polling centres as agreed by those vying for party nominations and the declaration on which members’ register will be used to identify those legible to participate in the nominations.
His sentiments were echoed by women leader, Mary Anyango Nyaudo alias Nyar Mombasa who said that no amount of intimidation will stop Ugunja residents from voting in a candidate of their choice to represent them.
Engineer Fredrick Z.B. Owino who is one of the candidates seeking the ODM ticket said the party will have to ensure that a fair referee presides of the exercise.
He called on the residents to maintain peace and turn out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right.
Ugunja constituency voters will go to the polls on November 27,2027 to elect a member of parliament to replace Energy Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi who relinquished the seat to take over the cabinet slot in the broad-based government.
Three candidates, Moses Omondi Okoth, Otieno Alur and Eng. Francis Owino are vying for the ODM party ticket.