AfricaPress-Kenya: The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued certificates to four aspirants in three wards and one constituency, clearing them to contest in by-elections.
ODM settled on David Were to contest for the Matungu Constituency seat. Andrew Sure was cleared to contest for Huruma Ward in Uasin Gishu, Stephen Ochieng London Ward in Nakuru and another from Kiamokama Ward in Kisii County.
Mr Were said he anticipates peaceful campaigns and his only aim for the remaining months is to develop Matungu.
“I want to tell the people of Matungu that I’m coming back to complete the work that I had started, and also to complete Murunga’s work,” said Were.
“And I want to assure them that we will be peaceful; we will not be abusive. In fact, we will be begging.”
Were counts on his experience as a former Member of Parliament to pick from where Murunga left.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya said the aspirants went through the legal selection process as provided in the Constitution and the election regulations.
“There will be nobody claiming that we have left them out. In Matungu, there are more than 20 candidates who are independent, and this is mainly because these people fear going through the nomination process,” said Mr Oparanya.
There were reports that Were was given a direct ticket by ODM much to the chagrin of other contestants. Oparanya insisted that some would-be contestants shied away after they were informed of the process.
“Our certificate is not given at night. It is given during the day,” Oparanya said.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said the campaign will be under the supervision of Oparanya
“This is because he is the governor of that county where the by-election will take place,” said Mr Mohamed.
He added that the party will push for peaceful campaigns for all the positions.
