Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya led four ODM MPs in opposing a campaign to grant immediate former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara the party’s direct nomination.

Mr Oparanya, Education Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny, Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East) and Oyugi Magwanga (Kasipul Kabondo) said Mr Magara must be subjected to an ODM election for the by-election.

Speaking to The Standard separately on Monday, they dismissed campaign by MPs allied to Agriculture Minister William Ruto to exempt Magara from internal competition.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala and Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny have been rooting for Magara’s direct nomination. They argue the party treasurer should not be subjected to nominations since the High Court, which nullified his election, blamed the anomalies on the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya.

Oparanya said: "The party should follow its electoral rules to the letter while selecting the flag bearer in the parliamentary contest."

Mr Olago said ODM constitution should not be overlooked in favour of a national party official.

Elsewhere, former Cabinet Minister Njenga Karume has clarified that Gikuyu Embu and Meru Association (Gema) has not endorsed a presidential candidate for the General Election in 2012.

Speaking at an exclusive resort in the South Coast, Mr Karume said the association’s recent meetings with both President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga were purely courtesy calls.