The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued direct nominations to James Aggrey Orengo who is seeking the Siaya gubernatorial seat in the August 9 polls.
This was reached following a consensus between Orengo and other contestants.
The party also offered the direct nomination to Ugunja Member of Parliament Opiyo Wandayi and Rairieda’s Otiende Amollo who will be defending their seats in the August vote.
The announcement follows hours after ODM issued a nomination schedule for Siaya, Homabay, Migori, Narok, Nairobi, and Kajiado counties.
ODM notified members that the party primaries would be conducted for some positions in some counties.
In Siaya county, the party will hold nominations for the Woman Representative position as well as for Parliamentary seats in Alego Usonga, Bondo, and Gem constituencies.
The ODM party also stated that nominations for those seeking its ticket for the position of the Member of the County Assembly would be conducted countrywide.
The Raila Odinga-led party will also be conducting nominations for the Woman Rep position in Homabay county and for the parliamentary seats in Ndhiwa and Karachuonyo constituencies.
The party further announced that in the remaining counties and constituencies, it was still holding negotiations with aspirants.
“A consensus among aspirants in the remaining counties is ongoing and the agreements will be shared after the finalization of these processes. All aspirants and party members in affected counties are advised to prepare to participate and to keep the peace during the primaries,” the statement read in part.
The party has suffered internal wrangles over the issuance of direct nominations with some aspirants accusing its leadership of favoritism and outright discrimination.
On April 3, 2022, the party was forced to explain its nomination formula following internal unease that threatened its unity.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, ODM’s Election Board Chairperson, Catherine Mumma, noted that the party’s criteria included consensus building, direct nomination, opinion polls, and competitive party primaries.
Mumma broke down each of the methods, noting that consensus-building remained their first approach.
It involves bringing together aspirants who then identify the strongest candidate among themselves and rally behind them.
The Election Board chair also expounded on the use of opinion polls. She noted that the method was scientific and would give a depiction of what was happening on the ground, based on scientific data.
