ODM taking too long to name Homa Bay mini-poll candidate, complain youth leaders

Youthful leaders from Homa Bay County now want the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to name its candidate for the senatorial by-election and stop holding voters at ransom.

Led by Homa Bay Youth Forum Chairman Evans Aseto, the youths claimed the party was taking too long to unveil its aspirant.

The person picked by the Orange party is likely to replace the late Senator Otieno Kajwang' going by the voting pattern in the region where whoever holds the party's ticket is as good as the winner.

The group also wants the ODM National Elections Board (NEB) headed by Judy Pareno to make public the method employed by the board to kick out other aspirants and arrive at the flagbearer.

"We would like to register our disappointment with the party for holding the electorate at ransom for an unnecessarily long period without telling us who their preferred candidate is, leave alone the methods adopted to pick the same.

"We would like to appeal to the party leadership that Homa Bay County is fragile. They should settle on one of the most loyal members who will not end up turning away from the party at the time of need as has been experienced earlier in some instances," he said.

Democratic options

Flanked by more than 10 youths outside Orange House, the official termed the delay as unnecessary especially after all other democratic options to pick the candidate had been shattered.

On Thursday, Ms Pareno ruled out chances of the party allowing voters to directly nominate the candidate, citing logistics and time constraints.

Her statement, which was silent on when they will name their nominee, came only a day after ODM leader Raila Odinga assured residents the party will use the extended time to conduct fair party polls.

Ms Pareno noted the board will apply scientific methods to arrive at the best candidate to defend the seat in the February 12, 2015 by-election.

"Going by the court ruling, the last day is December 27, on which we cannot have the exercise, being the deadline. This leaves us with December 26, which is Boxing Day, December 25 which is Christmas Day and December 24, which we also cannot conduct the exercise as people are preparing for Christmas," she said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set February 12 as the date for the mini-poll.

Caroli Omondi, Philip Okundi, Silas Jakakimba, Fred Rabongo, Kenneth Kambona, George Mboya and Moses Kajwang' are battling it out for the ODM ticket. Hillary Alila is an independent candidate for the seat.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has set February 12 as the date for the mini-poll while campaigns officially kick off on January 17, 2015.