ODM leaders say IEBC can conduct party elections

Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o and his nominated counterpart Joy Gwendo have supported calls that Cord and Jubilee coalition engage the electoral commission in conducting their primaries.

Prof Nyong’o and Ms Gwendo said politicians should have no problem having the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission conduct their nominations.

Speaking during a fundraiser in aid of Arina AIC church in Kisumu on Sunday, Prof Nyong’o said ODM has indicated that its primaries will be conducted in February next year.

“Our party nominations will be conducted in February next year if possible by the IEBC,” Prof Nyong’o said.

He said the nominations will be done in February unless changes are made by the leadership.

Speaking to women groups in Kisumu East Constituency, Ms Gwendo said her party is comfortable with IEBC conducting its primaries.

“This is in order because it will ensure fairness as by handing the tickets to the most popular candidates to defeat our opponents,” Ms Gwendo said.

She said previously, some people had received tickets through favours hence end up losing in the main election.

“We are aware that we will have new commissioners. We hope they will be in office in time to be able to oversee the nominations,” the senator said.

She also supported the new law on party hopping arguing that it will ensure sanity among politicians.

“It will help restore order in our parties and lock out individuals who have no commitment to their parties,” the senator said.

Prof Nyong’o shared the platform at the church function with Governor Jack Ranguma, gubernatorial aspirant Hezron McObewa, former Kisumu mayor Sam Okello and three MCAs.

Prof Nyong’o, Mr Ranguma and Dr McObewa will face off for the Kisumu gubernatorial seat next year.

Mr Ranguma called for support for a second term.

“I pray that you accord me a second term to complete my development projects,” the governor said.

Dr McObewa promised the two leaders a fierce battle.

“We shall meet at the ballot and thereafter greet each other after the elections because it is not a matter of life and death,” he said.

Cord leader Raila Odinga has in the past said political parties should have a free hand in deciding how to nominate their candidates.

Mr Odinga said the proposal that the IEBC be given a role in conducting party nominations amounts to “micromanaging political parties.”

“If a political party wants to invite the IEBC to conduct their nominations, which should be a free choice but don’t come up with the regulations to force political parties to invite IEBC.

"Political parties are private organisations. They should organise themselves differently,” he said at Orange House August 10 when he hosted Masaai leaders from Narok.