On September 1, the party's National Elections Co-ordinating Committee chairperson, Emily Awita, issued a notice for by-elections in only Uginja and Kasipul constituencies.
The notice comes two days after embattled party secretary general Edwin Sifuna, in a statement, said ODM will field candidates for all by-elections set for November 27.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, with President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, arrive at Luanda-K in Malava Malava constituency for an empowerment event /HILTON OTENYO
ODM will not field a candidate in the upcoming Malava
by-election.
Party Western regional co-ordinator Justus Kizito said the
move is in the interest of the current co-operation between the party and
ruling UDA.
“The Malava seat belonged to them and in the spirit of
sympathy, we decided to leave it for them to reclaim,” said Kizito who is a
former Shinyalu MP.
On September 1, the party's National Elections Co-ordinating
Committee chairperson, Emily Awita, issued a notice for by-elections in only
Uginja and Kasipul constituencies.
The notice comes two days after embattled party secretary
general Edwin Sifuna, in a statement, said ODM will field candidates for all
by-elections set for November 27.
Ford Kenya party, which is part of the Kenya Kwanza alliance,
will also not field a candidate in the by-election.
The by-election is slated for November 27. The by-election
in Malava was occasioned by the death of the MP Malulu Injendi in February.
Malulu was elected on an ANC party ticket, which later
collapsed into UDA. Other candidates in the race to succeed Malulu include his
son Ryan Malulu, former principal Simon Kangwana, lawyer Leonard Shimaka and
West Kabras MCA David Ndakwa who are eying to contest on the UDA ticket.
Others are Seth Panyako (DAP), lawyer Edgar Busiega (DCP),
Joab Manyasi (DNA) and Wilberforce Tuvei who is yet to name the party he will
be running on.
Aspirants have already hit the ground for the mini election whose
outcome will define the strength of both the ruling Kenya Kwanza and the
opposition.
Sugarcane politics, numerical strength of clans, political
party alignment and individual capabilities of aspirants will determine the
outcome.
Kenya Kwanza leaders have been engaging in empowerment
programmes in the constituency for the last four months to prepare the ground.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is set to lead the
Kenya Kwanza campaign in what could strengthen or weaken his political standing
in Luhya politics.
Former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, who is DAP-K leader and
Trans Nzioa Governor George Natembeya, are expected to lead Panyako’s campaigns, while Former Senator and DCP deputy leader will spearhead Busiega’s campaigns.
Pundits online say the by-election will determine who is in
control of politics in Western.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, with President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, arrive at Luanda-K in Malava Malava constituency for an empowerment event /HILTON OTENYO
