Setback for Raila’s ODM as Candidate Returns Nomination Certificate Ahead of By-Elections

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Setback for Raila’s ODM as Candidate Returns Nomination Certificate Ahead of By-Elections

ODM’s Kisa East by-election plans hit a snag as nominee declines party ticket

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has suffered a political blow ahead of the November 27 Kisa East ward by-election after its nominated candidate, Isaiah Abraham Ayaya, turned down the party ticket and returned the nomination certificate.

In a letter dated October 2 and addressed to the chairperson of ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), Ayaya thanked the party for considering him but said the nomination was rushed and conflicted with his existing political affiliation.

“It is regrettable that the nomination certificate was drawn and issued in my name before consultations could reach their logical conclusion,” Ayaya said.

He added that he is already a registered life member of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and ODM had approached him despite his existing membership.

“By the time ODM reached out to me, my name had already been forwarded to DAP-K where I am a life member,” he noted.

So Ayaya cannot accept the nomination and has confirmed that the certificate issued on October 1 has been returned to the party.

Earlier on Monday, ODM had publicly presented Ayaya with the certificate and announced him as the party’s candidate for the Kisa East Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat. The party had also revoked the earlier nomination of Thomas Eshuya Oyolo.

In a related development, DAP-K has given a direct nomination to former nurses’ union boss Seth Panyako for the Malava parliamentary by-election. The ticket was handed over to him at Chui House in Nairobi on September 18 by party leader Eugene Wamalwa.

Wamalwa said the United Opposition had agreed on Panyako as their flagbearer for Malava and was confident in his candidature.

But Panyako’s nomination has already been challenged. One of DAP-K’s aspirants, Caleb Burudi, petitioned the party’s elections board on September 15, saying Panyako is still a serving public officer.

According to Burudi, Panyako sits on the board of the Local Authorities Provident Fund (Lapfund) and has not resigned as required by law before contesting for political office.“He cannot participate in any party primaries so his application must be screened and rejected,” Burudi said, warning of legal action if the party doesn’t act.

Malava and Kisa East by-elections are on November 27.

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Setback for Raila’s ODM as Candidate Returns Nomination Certificate Ahead of By-Elections