Raila Odinga makes case for his brother Oburu Oginga's Senate bid

ODM leader Raila Odinga has supported his elder brother Oburu Oginga’s bid for Siaya Senate seat in next year's General Election.

Speaking on Saturday at a Christmas service at St Peter's Nyamira Parish in ACK Diocese of Bondo, Mr Odinga cited Oginga's vast experience among the reasons why he deserves to be elected Siaya Senator.

“Oburu should not be standing here begging you to vote for him. It is embarrassing. He has been a Member of Parliament for many years, has been a nominated MP as well as an EALA legislator. He has the necessary experience,” said Mr Odinga.

“At the National Assembly we need younger leaders who are still active and energetic. But the Senate requires people with experience. I need not to come to Siaya to campaign for (Senator) James Orengo and Dr Oburu. You, as the electorate, can handle that,” he added.

Senator Orengo has declared his candidature for Siaya's gubernatorial seat in the forthcoming polls. Besides Dr Oburu, Tony Yogo alias Yogo Yogo has also declared his candidature for the county's senatorial seat.

At the same time, the ODM leader has urged the electorate to carefully vet political aspirants and settle on the right candidates for various positions.

His sentiments came after Dr Oburu cried foul, claiming he was being shut down in his bid for the Senate seat.

“Some people are saying that I should not contest because my brother is going to be the President. I mean, even in the United States JF Kennedy was the President and his brother Robert was the Attorney General. It is a contest on capability and competence, not brotherhood,” Dr Oburu said.

Dr Oburu further said he is the right choice for the seat because the Senate needs mature leaders with vast political experience.

“Professor Sam Ongeri is a Senator and he is older than me. Amos Wako is my agemate and he is serving very well in the Senate. Even in America, a majority of the senators have grey hair. It is not a contest for the physical strength but a place where wisdom is required,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Odinga has asked members of the ODM to maintain peace during the party primaries.

“As other leaders have said, party nominations should never create misunderstandings. In all those elective posts, we can only have one person being elected. Like many other countries and parties, it is acceptable for the contestants to seek consensus. It is only consensus fail that we should resort to nominations,” he said.