FIVE MPs from Siaya County have urged ODM Party leader Raila Odinga to lead the campaigns for the Siaya Governor by-election for the party to recapture the seat. The legislators said Raila's efforts will land the party a landslide victory.
The five MPs include Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), George Muluan (Alego Usonga), Dave Ochieng’ (Ugenya) and James Wandayi (Ugunja).
They denied claims that they have asked Raila, Siaya Senator James Orengo and Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo to keep off the campaigns. The legislators said those spreading such rumours are out to destabilise the party.
“Our party leader is a primary player in the Siaya governor seat and cannot keep off the campaigns because we need him for a landslide victory,” Gumbo said.
Ochieng’, Ochanda, Muluan and Wandayi echoed Gumbo’s sentiments adding that Odinga as the ODM party leader will give the party direction. The seat fell vacant after William Oduol successfully filed a petition against ex-governor Cornel Rasanga.
In the hearing, Justice Aggrey Muchelule heard that ODM supporters destroyed Oduol’s posters and superimposed them with photos of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.
The court heard that in some instances, ODM luminaries under the command of James Orengo and Jakoyo Midiwo invaded Oduol's campaign rallies.
The judge said Midiwo referred to Oduol as a murderer who shot his wife, which forced Oduol to go round with his wife and family as proof they were alive. It was heard that Odinga referred to Oduol as a "wild cat".
Justice Muchelule said a similar incident occurred at Ludhehe where ODM supporters who included Orengo came with a more powerful public address system and took over the function forcing Oduol to leave the venue.
Justice Muchelule further said an ODM supporter, Aggrey onyango and former Alego-Usonga MP, Edwin Yinda provided vehicles which were used in distributing materials containing the portraits of Kenyatta and Ruto hence depicting Oduol as a TNA mole. He said the evidence was not disputed in court yet Onyango was in court during most of the proceedings.
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