Boyd Were and Philip Aroko, candidates for the Kasipul Kabondo parliamentary by-election.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has found itself fighting for survival in Kasipul constituency, which has traditionally been one of its strongholds.
As Thursday’s by-election campaigns concluded, the electoral area appears to have slipped from being a guaranteed ODM seat to a do-or-die contest between the party’s candidate Boyd Were and Philip Aroko (independent).
ODM on Monday concluded its campaigns by blaming its broad-based partner, President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), for campaigning against the party’s candidate in an election that threatens to expose the soft underbelly of the 20-year-old outfit in the absence of its founding leader, Raila Odinga.
Mr Aroko has mounted a major challenge against ODM. Claims of a bungled party nomination have since emerged as some of the mistakes hurting ODM’s chances in the area.
Kasipul parliamentary candidate Philip Aroko speaks to his supporters in Kosele, Homa Bay County after being cleared to run the November 27 by-election.
The perception in the area is that the race could go either way after months of grueling campaigns by the two main candidates. The Kasipul seat has attracted 10 candidates, but the race has since narrowed between Mr Were and Mr Aroko.
Not business as usual
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has been leading ODM machinery in the campaigns that have seen heavy mobilization of resources and the party’s bigwigs. Ordinarily, campaigns in the area would have been an easy ride for the Orange party owing to its years of significant influence in the region.
But Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma’s outburst at the weekend revealed the level of threat 0DM is facing in the constituency.
Mr Kaluma accused former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi) and Okoth Obado (Migori) of openly campaigning Mr Aroko. The two leaders are associated with UDA. Mr Kaluma also mentioned Mr Odoyo Owiti, another UDA operative in the county.
“We cannot be in a broad-based government together while the UDA members are campaigning for our opponent. It is confusing our people. I'm asking the president to rein on those people,” Mr Kaluma demanded.
Nomination issues
Critics have accused the party of alleged mismanagement of nominations, a scenario that saw some of the aspirants jump ship to run as independent candidates. Top party officials were seen to favour Mr Were even before the party held its nominations. Mr Were is seeking to succeed his slain father, Mr Ong’ondo Were.
Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was gunned down by a motorcycle assassin near Nairobi Funeral Home, minutes after leaving Parliament.
“ODM does not have a candidate in Kasipul; the candidate wearing ODM colours in Kasipul is a personal candidate of Gladys Wanga, appointed by herself. If they wanted the support of well-meaning leaders, they should have carried out a free and fair nomination exercise,” said Mr Odoyo.
“ODM leadership in Homabay has never embraced the UDA members. When broad-based government began, their first target was me, the man who led the UDA storming the streets of Homabay as ODM watched. Recently, at the women empowerment function in Kasipul, attended by the DP and the Interior PS. Gladys Wanga personally supervised as UDA sympathisers, including Dr Raymond Omolo's events coordinator Mr Aggrey Omondi Otore were expelled from the venue by Homabay council Askaris,” he added.
Observers note that the absence of Mr Odinga has also exposed the party’s influence in the region. Mr Odinga was known for his influence of rallying support for the party’s candidates, with his signature lifting of hands carrying major sway on the ballot.
Internal wrangles between Governor Wanga and his deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, have also exposed the party’s soft underbelly.
On Friday, while in Wire, West Kamagak, Mr Magwanga argued that the nomination process that identified Boyd as the party’s flagbearer was not free and fair as ODM claimed.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (background, left) and her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga (background, right). Foreground: Kasipul by-election candidates Boyd Were (left) and Philip Aroko.
The process was called into question, with allegations of irregularities and manipulation, leading to discontent among some party members.
“There is no law that says that if a leader dies, it is his son who should replace him. I have been told to support Boyd, but I will not,” he said.
The deputy governor said he is concerned about cases of violence in Kasipul, including the destruction of property witnessed during the nomination.
“We all encourage investors to put money in our county. It is unfortunate that rowdy youths stormed a private hospital and destroyed property there,” he said.
Mr Magwanga maintained that the forthcoming by-election should be free and fair. He said no one should interfere with it.
