ODM leader Raila Odinga is facing a major job in Kisii County, with candidates vying for a seat in the party.
This is due to the large number of politicians who defected to ODM before the 2017 general election who have returned to the party.
For example, on Thursday last week, the Member of Parliament for the Little Kitutu South, Richard Onyonka, the former ODM Kisii County Chairman Samuel Omwando, former MPs Simon Ogari and Robert Monsa, returned to the ODM party.
Mr Onyonka resigned from Ford Kenya while Mr Omwando left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party for Deputy President William Ruto.
The politicians, who were part of a group of more than 50 politicians from Kisii County, were received by Mr Odinga at the Orange House, Nairobi.
All ODM leaders in the county did not attend the event, with circles saying they were not happy with the move by the “rebel” members to return to contest.
Similarly, the announcement by Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati that he will run for Kisii governorship has increased political tensions in Kisii County.
Mr Arati, who is Mr Odinga’s ally, sent ODM-affiliated politicians to the party leader, in part of his strategy to control the party in the county.
Over the past three months, Mr Arati has been campaigning hard against the ODM leadership in Kisii County led by Governor James Ongwae, Senator Sam Ongeri and Member of Parliament Janet Ong’era.
A group of politicians who have re-joined the ODM, is now joining other candidates who have been loyal to the party in search of the party’s ticket, a move that will put Mr Odinga to sleep.
“Today we have received a number of politicians who have split parties and joined odm. They were led by mr onyonka, former mps simon ogari and dr monda. More than 50 politicians including youth leaders in uda have joined odm, ”odm said via its twitter page.
Mr Onyonka has revealed that he has resigned from his post as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ford Kenya due to a vested interest.
“I am not the leader of Ford Kenya. I resigned two weeks ago when the party organized its National Congress of its Members (NDC). I would not stay in Ford Kenya if the truth is that I envy Raila, ”said the MP, who is serving his third term in parliament.
Mr Arati has already complained about some of the tactics that ODM may embrace during the party’s nomination process, saying it will exclude prominent candidates and contribute to the party losing various positions.
He claimed that there were some politicians who would use their influence to favor various leaders.
In addition, Mr Arati, said candidates who feel oppressed by the ODM, will relinquish their intentions and move to other parties or stand as co-candidates while the party remains weak.
“These are the things that have been going on for many years. We may be repeating the mistakes we made in the past and this will cause us great frustration. Odm should prepare a filter that will be free and fair, ”said mr arati.
Mr Arati, who has been campaigning hard, will have to face Senator Ongeri, Ms Ong’era and Deputy Governor Joash Maangi in the ODM qualifiers.
