Nyong’o Rules Out Direct Nomination In ODM Primaries

ODM Secretary General Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o addresses a rally in Kisumu on Saturday where he announced he will be vying for the senator seat.

BY DICKSON ODHIAMBO
MONDAY, 17 DECEMBER, 2012

All will have equal opportunity because favouritism for some aspi- rants stifles democracy, says minister

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will not give direct nomination to any aspiring candidate during its primaries next month.Secretary General Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o said the days of “sacred cows” in the party are gone and aspirants on the party’s ticket should be ready to compete.Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu at the weekend, during a campaign rally to popularise his bid for Kisumu Senator seat, Nyong’o said direct nomination stifle democracy and ODM will not entertain pressure from any aspirant, however powerful, to dish out direct nominations.“All aspirants will be given equal opportunity to seek the party’s ticket during the primaries,” he said.He said the party intends to a hold free, fair and transparent nomination process for its various candidates for different positions. Nyong’o urged aspirants, who have declared their interest in various seats on the party’s ticket to participate in the nominations.Lands minister James Orengo and his Local Government counterpart Paul Otuoma, who attended the rally, said aspirants will participate in the transparent nomina- tions.Nyong’o, who is also the Medical Services minister and Kisumu Rural MP, expressed confidence that the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) will win the March 4 Election.“The change that Kenyans have been yearning for can only be realised through Cord,” said minister.He said ODM, Wiper Democratic Movement and Ford-Kenya parties will transform the economy and unite the country.Nyong’o said after hopes of ODM forming a government were dashed in 2007, the party has entered into a coalition with two other parties to ensure the aspirations are realised. He urged the electorate to elect him as the first Kisumu Senator. He promised to revive Agriculture to boost food production.Nyong’o urged IEBC to set registration desks in public universities to enlist students who are currently taking their examinations. “The students have been taking their examinations when the registation was going on and it is only fair that IEBC makes it easier for them to register before the exercise closes,” he said.IEBC chairman Issack Hassan has ruled out extending the registration period beyond tomorrow citing strict timelines to beat electoral process deadlines before the Election.