Owino’s decision to quit ODM welcome, ODM officials say

However, the officials, led by gubernatorial aspirant, George Mugoye Mbeya and his senatorial colleague, Julius Thomas Okinda warned that the action was a wake-up call for ODM top brass to stop coaxing aspirants who are popular in the grassroots to drop their bid in favour of those perceived to be the party’s blue eyed boys.

Speaking while on campaign trails in different parts of Siaya county, Mugoye and Okinda warned that ODM risked losing favour amongst Siaya voters if it insisted on issuing party tickets to individuals instead of subjecting candidates to universal suffrage.

Mugoye, who was addressing West Gem ward ODM delegates at Nguge village, said the party had no choice but to handle the nominations, slated for 14/4/2022, well.

“The decamping of Charles Owino is good riddance for the party. We will now have party loyalists competing during nominations” he said adding” I believe that if ODM party does not handle the nominations well, it will have implications.”

Mugoye, a high court advocate, said that party lovers in Siaya and the general public will protest if the nominations were not properly conducted.

He told Siaya senator, James Orengo to stop canvassing for direct nominations and challenged him for a duel for the party ticket through universal suffrage.

ODM Siaya senatorial aspirant, J.T. Okinda, who addressed party grassroots officials at Kowet Chief’s camp in North Alego ward, said it was unfair and undemocratic to prevail upon candidates to step down for others.

Okinda, who will be facing off with East Africa Legislative Assembly member, Dr. Oburu Odinga for the party ticket said ODM had no choice but to ensure fair primaries or risk repercussions from the Siaya residents.

“If not handled well, it may weaken Raila Odinga’s campaigns for the presidency here as the public may vote for candidates of other parties in protest” said Okinda.

Former police spokesman, Charles Owino yesterday teamed up with former Rarieda MP, Nicholas Gumbo and decamped from ODM to UDM.

Gumbo will vie for the Siaya gubernatorial seat, deputized by Owino on UDM ticket during the August 9 general elections.