www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]

ODM team plots way forward to elections

Details

Published on Thursday, 20 January 2011 05:03

Discreet boardroom negotiations for next month’s ODM elections have kicked-off in earnest, as the contest in Ford-People’s election scheduled for this Thursday turned out to be a two-horse race.

Former Minister Henry Obwocha and South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya would be battling it out on Thursday for the control of Ford-People, the first party to hold elections this year.

In Ford-People, the two contestants intensified campaigns in the last few days even as Nyamweya rejected the Returning Officer Samuel Mwencha, yesterday.

Delegates assemble at the Bomas of Kenya to elect a new chairman after outgoing office holder, Reuben Oyondi, who took over from former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae opted not to defend the seat.

The South Mugirango MP is being seen by those allied to Obwocha as too new to the party to be entrusted with the leadership while those for Nyamweya insist the party needs a new face to make it formidable and propel it to its heyday under Nyachae.

Nyamweya has demanded that Mwencha be immediately replaced, accusing him of having taken sides already by supporting Obwocha, an accusation Mwencha termed as unfounded.

Nyamweya, the only Ford-People MP from the larger Kisii has of late traded accusations with Obwocha, the party’s outgoing Secretary and former West Mugirango MP over the handling of the elections.

Was handpicked

Nyamweya has cried foul that Mwencha was handpicked by Obwocha to help him win the seat, but yesterday the former Minister accused his opponent of fearing defeat.

Nyamweya has said Obwocha should not even be cleared to contest on grounds that he had not paid the mandatory fee of Sh250,000.

Outgoing party treasurer, Mr John Muturi, also confirmed that by the close of the set deadline, Obwocha had not paid the fee.

"As at last Friday when I checked, it was only Nyamweya who had paid the fee. I called Obwocha and he promised to get back to me but he has not. We will meet him to know his position regarding the fee," said Muturi, who disclosed that he would not be defending his seat.

But speaking to The Standard from Kisii where he was busy campaigning, Obwocha said he had paid the fee. "I paid the fee and I am all set for election on Thursday," he said.

Concerning the rejection of the Returning Officer, Obwocha said it was wrong for Nyamweya to look for flimsy grounds to reject the outcome after sensing that majority of the delegates were not with him.

Turn around

"Nyamweya is a member of the NEC and he was there when Mwencha was nominated. How can he turn around and say he was not consulted. He should learn to be honest. Ford People has been a peaceful party all along and he should not bring tension and unnecessary wars," warned Obwocha.

But Nyamweya said just like other Ford-People members it was his right to have an acceptable procedure conducted by a non-partisan officer, preferably a religious leader.

"We must meet and urgently agree on a neutral person to handle the elections or still invite the IIEC to step in," added Nyamweya.

Obwocha, however, maintained time was not on their side to go looking for another body or person to conduct the elections and advised Nyamweya to get ready for the elections under the supervision of Mwencha.

"Nobody is plotting to rig the elections. Nyamweya should stop looking for excuses after realising that he has no numbers to enable him win the seat," Obwocha said.

Political limelight

The election of Nyamweya as South Mugirango MP in June last year, thrust Ford-People party back to political limelight after it had suffered humiliating defeat to ODM during the last General Election.

Nyamweya came to Parliament through a by-election occasioned by a court ruling following his petition arguing the election of former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara had not been free and fair.