TNA aspirants seek Uhuru's intervention

The National Alliance (TNA) aspirants want their party leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta, to intervene so they are not barred from contesting the senator’s seat.

County Chairman Jack Otana and his co-contestants Charles Amenya and Nick Ndiege condemned comments uttered by TNA Secretary General Onyango Oloo to the effect that the party should not field a candidate to vie for the seat.

Mr Oloo told The Standard that some of the candidates, who presented themselves to contest for the seat, were so poor in politics that they could not win even a civic seat hence the party was not going to give them a go ahead without proper scrutiny.

But, addressing journalists in Homa Bay town, the two aspirants termed Oloo’s statement as discriminatory saying he should stop speaking as if the party is his personal property.

“We have the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission which is responsible for clearing candidates in an election. Why then does Oloo want to deny us our right?” Mr Otana asked.

Mr Amenya urged the party leadership to conduct a free and fair nomination.

“You cannot disqualify a candidate even before they contest. Let the President address this matter and give direction. TNA candidates are needed on the ground,” he said.