ODM youth back UDF candidate for Bomachoge by-election

By Kenan Miruka  

Kisii, Kenya: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) youth leaders have resolved to back the UDF candidate in the Bomachoge Borabu by-election.

Youth leaders led by ODM sub-branch chairman Geoffrey Gutwa cited failure by the Orange party to conduct primaries to pick its candidate for the by-election and rifts within the Kisii County branch as their reasons for the move.

They accused the party hierarchy of giving Peter Kimori a direct ticket without consulting them.

Speaking during a meeting in Ogembo town Sunday, the youths said they had resolved to back UDF candidate Josiah Maaga whom they claimed was denied a chance to get the ODM ticket in the primaries.

“As a youth league, we raised concerns over failure to conduct nominations and despite assurances by the party’s executive director Magerer Langat that the issue will be resolved, nothing has happened so far. That is why we have decided to throw our weight behind Maaga who was initially in ODM,” said Gutwa.

ODM Kisii County’s organising secretary Harun Nyamache has also backed Maaga for the seat while the party’s Bomachoge Borabu sub-branch vice chairman Peter Ogutu has joined immediate former MP and TNA candidate Joel Onyancha’s camp.

Last week, 40 members of the ODM Kisii County branch led by Deputy Governor Joash Maangi met and resolved to unite behind party candidates Chris Bichage (Nyaribari Chache) and Kimori (Bomachoge Borabu).