Jakakimba joins Homa Bay senate race on UDM ticket

Raila Odinga’s former personal assistant Silas Jakakimba will now run for the Homa Bay senatorial seat on the United Democratic Movement (UDM) ticket, even after CORD said its affiliate parties will not issue nomination certificates to ODM defectors.

Jakakimba was issued with the nomination certificate by UDM, a CORD affiliate, in a move seen to be creating a greater rift within the coalition.

Jakakimba said ODM’s elections board had disregarded his popularity in the region by issuing the nomination certificate to Moses Kajwang’.

“This was a slap on the democratic principles which ground the ideals of ODM,” he said. The senatorial hopeful said he had to respond to the voice of Homa Bay people, which had overwhelmingly declared support for him.

CORD’s Deputy Leader Kalonzo Musyoka had last week said affiliate parties would not give nominations to contestants to strengthen the chances of clinching the seat.