Elisha Odhiambo finally gets ODM ticket for Gem MP race
MP Elisha Odhiambo receives the nomination certificate from ODM deputy leader Wycliffe Oparanya.
ODM has finally issued Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo with the party’s nomination certificate as directed by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT).
Mr Odhiambo had petitioned the decision by the party to issue the nomination certificate to his rival Dr Jalang’o Midiwo, brother of the late former MP Jakoyo Midiwo.
This brings to an end the long tussle on the party primaries in Siaya County which were held on April 13.
According to Mr Odhiambo’s lawyer, Evans Oruenjo, the Orange party National Elections Board (NEB) issued the certificate and subsequently forwarded the name to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Iebc).
“The party has respected the directive issued by the PPDT to issue my client with the ticket. They have also forwarded his name to the IEBC, therefore he is the candidate for Gem Parliamentary seat on ODM ticket for elections slated for August 9,” said Mr Oruenjo.
Mr Odhiambo was declared winner during the primaries after he garnered 7,405 votes while Dr Jalang’o got 6,384 votes.
Dr Jalang’o challenged the outcome of the nominations at the party’s tribunal citing irregularities and violence reported in his strongholds.
The Orange party tribunal, however, upheld the outcome saying the process was free, fair and credible.
In a twist of events, the NEB nullified the results of the Gem constituency nominations after the party tribunal upheld Mr Odhiambo’s victory.
The tribunal asked ODM conduct fresh nominations through universal suffrage in the Gem.
Mr Odhiambo declined to take part in the repeat process.
He raised concerns over the process saying some officials in the party were scheming to rigging in his main challenger Dr Jalang’o.
Mr Odhiambo declined taking part in a fresh nominationsd, terming the process an illegality.
The NEB went ahead to issue the party ticket to Dr Jalang’o, a move that Mr Odhiambo challenged at the PPDT.
After the hearing dispute, the PPDT directed the ODM party and NEB to issue the party ticket to Mr Odhiambo and forward his name to the IEBC.
The delays by the Orange party to effect the directive of the PPDT led Mr Odhiambo to file a contempt of court case under certificate of urgency at the same tribunal.
The hearing was set for April 14.
“We were set to have a hearing of contempt proceedings at 2pm on April 14, however, because the party has issued the certificate we shall treat it as a matter settled,” said Mr Oruenjo.
Other than the Gem, the party primaries have been rocked by disputes in Bondo and Alego Usonga constituencies.
In Bondo the PPDT had ordered for a fresh nomination process within 72 hours that elapsed on May 8.
ODM party petitioned the ruling at the High Court citing lack of resources and the case is yet to be decided.
In Alego Usonga, the PPDT directed the NEB to withdraw the nomination certificate issued to the incumbent Samuel Atandi after his main challenger Dr Nicholas Ochogo filed a petition at the same court.
