Hopefuls seek grassroots support

By NICK OLUOCH

Candidates for the ODM national elections are now seeking support from the grassroots ahead of the February poll.

Officials at the branches, mainly in Nyanza, have been meeting to agree on whom to vote for since some seats have attracted more than three candidates from the province.

The most affected seat is that of the Secretary General that has seen party members in Homa Bay County hold meetings on whether to support area Senator Otieno Kajwang or Evans Kidero for the deputy chair’s seat.

Those eyeing the Secretary General seat include Siaya Senator James Orengo, MPs Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Mason Nyamweya (South Mugirango), nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, among others.

In Migori County that saw a number of ODM candidates defect to other parties after the nominations ahead of the March polls, the youth said Gumbo was suited for the Secretary General seat.

“We have settled on Gumbo due to his experience and also being a young person,” said Argwings Obar, the party’s county youth chairman.

In a resolution made by the group after a meeting in Migori town, the youth said they would ensure that a young person takes over from Anyang’ Nyong’o who has already announced that he will not be defending the seat.