ODM: No official has ditched party

By Robert Wanyonyi

Bungoma, Kenya: ODM has come out to refute claims that some of its officials in Bungoma County have decamped to rival parties ahead of the December 19 senatorial by-elections.

In a statement, ODM categorically stated that no single official of the party in any nine branches in Bungoma County has ditched the party for Jubilee or any of its affiliates.

“ODM being a senior partner of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy is fully behind Mr. Moses Wetangula of Ford-Kenya which is a partner in the coalition,” said communications secretary Philip Etale.

He stated that ODM’s resolve was evident when party leader Raila Odinga led a strong campaign for Wetangula last Saturday at the Posta Grounds which was attended by thousands of CORD supporters.

Etale accused rival officials of authoring statements to the media claiming that ODM officials in the entire Bungoma County had decamped to support other candidates.

“The untruths being perpetuated by our rivals are a cause for alarm and must stop,” he reiterated.

He added that ODM is and will remain committed to the Wetangula campaign and will stand with him until he reclaims the seat.

“No amount of propaganda will stop the cause and CORD will remain united as it has done in the previous by-elections,” added Etale.

Wetang’ula, while reacting to the matter termed his rivals as failures and cowards who have been left with nothing to add to the Luhya community.

He called on the electoral body to firmly deal with candidates engaging in hate speech and propaganda.

He appealed to voters to disqualify such candidates on the day of the by-election.

Wetang’ula was addressing supporters who had lined up to receive his entourage in Mt Elgon during campaigns.

He addressed supporters in Kopsiro, Cheptais and Sasur locations before heading to Kapsokwony, Kibuk and Kaptama areas of the district.