ODM upholds nomination of Suna West MP Peter Masara

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) appeals tribunal has upheld the nomination of Suna West MP Peter Masara in the disputed party primaries held on April 18.

Former MP Joseph Ndiege had challenged the results, citing various irregularities including a move by the party to allow the nominations to be held past the stipulated time of 5pm.

However, the tribunal ruled that the grievances raised by Mr Ndiege did not hold ground as the extended time for voting did not affect the outcome of the results.

“The appellants did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. It is impossible to get a second opinion on the allegations. The actions from the above are that the appeal lacks merit since allowing voters to vote past 5pm did not jeopardise the appellant. The result of the voting is hereby upheld and the appeal is dismissed with no costs,” ruled the tribunal.

Challenge the outcome

Mr Masara defeated Mr Ndiege –his political nemesis in the fiercely contested party primaries- before the latter moved to the party’s tribunal to challenge the outcome.

The MP garnered 8,799 votes to clinch the ODM ticket while Mr Ndiege garnered 8,671 votes, a difference of 128 votes.

The win by Mr Masara triggered protests from supporters of Mr Ndiege who who disputed the results.

Before Monday’s ruling, supporters of Mr Ndiege held a series of peaceful demonstrations in Migori town to dispute the results that also saw Mrs Dennita Ghatti winner of the Woman Representative ticket.

Waving placards and chanting anti-ODM slogans, Mr Ndiege’s supporters marched along the busy Migori-Isebania highway before addressing journalists a short distance away from the Migori stadium.

They accused Mr Masara of rigging the ODM primaries that saw him bag the party's ticket.

Led by Mr Martin Ochieng, the angry supporters vowed to mount independent campaigns should the party’s dispute resolution mechanisms fail.

Exercise was compromised

"We have enough evidence that the entire exercise was compromised. We can't allow such incidents to prevail in the current regime and we will stop at nothing," noted Mrs Jane Awino a resident of Bondo Nyironge village where Mr Ndiege hails from.

Woman Representative aspirant Fatuma Mohammed also disputed the results that saw her opponent Ghatti declared the winner of the fiercely contested slot which was marred by chaos, insults and drama.

"I won't be taken for a ride for a record third time. I have always been compromised despite emerging the winner on two occasions, which I won't accept this time around, " a furious Mohammed retorted as she confronted Ms Ghatti as security agencies restrained her.

The impasse spiralled late into the weekend with her supporters disrupting traffic along the busy Migori-Isebania highway while calling on a level playground by ODM.

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