Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Raila promises ODM nominations will be fair


y Naftal Makori and Evelyn Kwamboka
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has reassured aspirants seeking the Orange Democratic Movement ticket for various seats of free and fair nominations.
He said no direct nominations would be given and that the party had already established mechanisms aimed at giving each aspirant an equal opportunity to be nominated as party flag-bearer for any elective seats.
Speaking in Nyamira County, Raila urged those who lose in the nominations to stick with the party, since they would be given other roles to play within the party.
“There will be no favours and nominations are not war. It will be a friendly match as we prepare to reclaim our victory,” said Raila.
He said the new ODM national elections board led by Col Muthee Kathurima would conduct party primaries professionally to prevent fallout but rather strengthen the party.
“The candidates should take the exercise as a friendly match ahead of the major league (General Election). This is because we want a stronger team to contest for senator, governor, MP and other posts,” he added.
This comes days after a section of MPs in the area seeking senator and governor seats indicated they would stay in the party so long as there was free and fair nomination. Raila’s visit to the area is seen as a move to woo voters in the region to vote as a bloc.
Raila said ODM would benefit Kenyans more if it formed the next government, adding that political competitors had resorted to negative propaganda and dishing out money.
He took a swipe at politicians calling for his retirement saying they wanted him out of the contest so that they could take the chance to water down the Constitution.
The PM assured the Provincial Administrators that they would not be sacked. He said chiefs, PCs and DCs would be absorbed within the county governments.
Raila also visited Nyakemincha Primary School, which performed poorest in last year’s KCPE and warned teachers at the school against complacence.

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