ODM is expected to name former Siaya Governor Rasanga Amoth as the party’s candidate for the upcoming October by-election.
Party insiders yesterday told the Star that the party has settled on Rasanga as their candidate.
Party leader Raila Odinga is said to have kept off the issue and left it to the National Elections Board, Siaya county leadership and secretariat.
The secretariat and NEB however briefed the former PM who is also the ODM party leader on their recommendations.
The party leaders were yesterday expected to meet candidates who had shown interest in opposing Rasanga.
“We want this issue to be handled amicably and not like during the March 4 elections,” said a source.
This came even after Gem politician Elisha Odhiambo declared he was in ODM and would battle out for the ticket.
“I am a staunch member of ODM who respects its doctrines and is keen on vying on the party’s ticket,” Odhiambo said on the phone yesterday.
Two weeks ago, Raila said while at Rarieda Secondary School during area MP Nicholas Gumbo’s thanksgiving ceremony that local leaders would handle ODM nominations.
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo said the matter would be handled by ODM party top brass.
This was after a section of party delegates from Bondo and Rarieda sub branches endorsed Rasanga for the ODM ticket.
It is not clear how other candidates who had shown interest in the ODM primaries will receive the information on the decision to give Rasanga the ODM ticket.
Other candidates who have also shown interest in the seat on an ODM party ticket include; former Regional development PS Carey Orege, former NGO council chairman Oduor Ong’wen and Julius Okinda.
Whoever clinches the ODM ticket will battle it out with the National Agenda Party of Kenya’s William Oduol in the October 17 by-election.
In a gazette notice dated August 28, the IEBC gave political parties up to September 2 to finalise their primaries and determine intra-party disputes arising from nomination of their candidates.
“Siaya county is made up of six constituencies namely Ugenya, Ugunja, Alego Usonga, Gem, Bondo and Rarieda with 311,919 registered voters,” said the IEBC.
The IEBC further directed candidates in the Siaya governor race to submit their nomination papers on September 19.
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