Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has warned new ODM members to be wary of brokers in the Orange party who extort money from candidates in exchange for tickets.
Addressing grassroots leaders in Kakamega town on Wednesday, October 27, the ODM deputy party leader asked the National Elections Board (NEB) chaired by Catherine Muma, to issue certificates to nomination winners at the county level to end corruption witnessed at party headquarters during party primaries.
He said the success of ODM’s plan to win more governors, MPs, senators, and MCAs will depend on the credibility of the party primaries.
“Orange House is full of brokers who extort money from candidates in exchange for tickets. Let us not expose our candidates to such individuals,” he said.
Oparanya who shelved his presidential ambitions in favour of his party leader Raila Odinga stated that shambolic party primaries have in the recent General Election cost the outfit many seats.
“NEB should not mess the party again in the nominations…shambolic ODM primaries cost the party many seats and this time around we are demanding free, fair, and democratic nominations,” he added.
Oparanya, who was speaking during a meeting convened by the party’s NEB to update them on new rules and plans for the upcoming party elections, further said that the Orange party is reaching out to One Kenya Alliance (OKA) member parties for coalition talks ahead of the 2022 elections.
“We have approached some parties in OKA to be part of the coalition talks with the view of forming the outfit. Soon you will hear the announcement,” Oparanya said.
While not revealing the parties, Oparanya said the move is aimed at ensuring that ODM wins more elective seats to enjoy numerical strength in the coalition and the next government.
Efforts by President Uhuru Kenyatta to unite OKA principals and the ODM leader failed to yield results even after several State House meetings with former National Super Alliance principals.
This comes at a time when Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has been advised to reach out to OKA principals and strike a partnership deal ahead of the 2022 elections.
