Stung by past chaotic nominations, ODM is laying down structures to streamline the exercise.
In new guidelines, a candidate’s history will be scrutinised during vetting before one is allowed to seek the Orange party’s ticket. The aspirant’s loyalty to the party and popularity will also be considered.
ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba admits that the nominations have been the party’s biggest challenge making it lose strong candidates to rivals. He added that the defections have serious implications on CORD leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
Key ODM leaders who defected after losing in party primaries include Migori Governor Zachary Obado (People Democratic Party), Muhoroni MP Onyango K’oyoo (PDP), Alego Usonga’s Omondi Muluan (Wiper), Kisumu West’s John Olago Aluoch (Ford Kenya) and Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar (Wiper).
“It is because of this bad history that I have prioritised streamlining of party nominations in 2017 so that they are credible. If you intend to fly an ODM flag in the next election be rest assured that the exercise will be free and fair since we have changed way of doing things,” said Mr Namwamba.
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Dr Hezron Mc’obewa, who is eyeing the Kisumu Governor seat, said ODM must learn from past mistakes.
“I am confident as an aspirant that the will of the people will be realised otherwise botched nominations will lead to voter apathy and affect the presidential vote that we are all fighting to deliver,” said Mc’obewa.
Namwamba announced that the revised nomination rules will give the elections board and the party powers to clamp down violence by proposing hefty fines. Candidates who incite their supporters to cause violence will be barred from the nominations while any board member found guilty of electoral malpractices will be expelled.
The party will also set to raise the nomination fees for the governor’s position to Sh1 million up from Sh300,000.
ODM chairman John Mbadi has said they will not allow any aspirant who will have not been a party member for at least six months.
