Nyong’o tells Kidero off for supporting non-ODM candidates

By FELIX OLICK

NAIROBI, KENYA: The differences between Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and the ODM party leadership escalated Saturday with Acting Party Leader Anyang’ Nyong’o criticising him for backing candidates from rival parties.

Dr Kidero had suggested that ODM should support Jared Okelo (Ford-Kenya) for the Nyando parliamentary seat as well as Zachary Obado (People’s Democratic Party) for the Migori gubernatorial position in case the Supreme Court rules that there should be by-elections in the two areas.

But in a strongly worded statement, Prof Nyong’o who is acting on behalf of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, termed Kidero’s comments as ‘reckless’. “The statements attributed to Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero are reckless and portray disrespect for the rule of law,” said the Kisumu Senator in statement sent to the The Standard on Sunday yesterday.

He said as a leader, ‘Kidero knows well which organ of the party through which to channel such suggestions’.

The latest spat between the two top ODM officials portray deep seated mistrust, especially with rumours that Kidero is working with Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno and the Jubilee government to destabilise Raila’s grip on Nyanza politics. The Rongo lawmaker has openly declared that he will launch a new political outfit to rival ODM. “Like we did in Mathare, ODM should support Jared Okello in the Nyando by-election since he is the one who took the petition challenging Fred Outa (former MP) to court,” Kidero suggested during a fundraiser in Homa-Bay on Friday. Kidero further urged Nyanza leaders to support Obado whose election was nullified, to recapture his seat following his development record.

“We should support Obado if we want development in this region,” Kidero said.  But in his rejoinder, Nyong’o maintained: “ODM gives nominations to party members in accordance to the party’s constitution and election rules. Any suggestions to the contrary are mere speculations that party members are advised to ignore”.

Migori MP Junnet Mohammed also cautioned Kidero against practicing “political banditry” in the guise of holding harambees in Nyanza.

“We know he is an ordinary ODM member who does not hold any position in the party. Who is he to decide for the people of Migori what they should do? The MP called Kidero a Jubilee campaigner because he was allegedly campaigning for its candidate in the Mathare by-election race at the expense of ODM. He stated that the Migori and Nyando election petition are still pending in court and party members are advised to refrain from making statements that may be prejudicial.

The ousted Migori Governor has an uphill task to recapture the seat in case of a by-election due to his links with the ruling Jubilee coalition.  He is an ally of Deputy President William Ruto and was the only non-ODM Governor in the four counties of Luo Nyanza where Raila commands enormous respect and adulation.

On Friday, Kidero said ODM could not form government in 2017 unless it joins other parties.

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo scoffed at Kidero’s remarks and challenged him to respect the law if he wants to lead the country.