The Orange Democratic Movement party has assured aspirants in Nairobi that no nomination tickets have been issued for the city.
Speaking in Kibra on Wednesday, ODM Secretary general Edwin Sifuna revealed that the plan was to have the party’s Nairobi nomination tickets issued at once to all aspirants.
“Ticket za Nairobi hazijapeanwa ata mimi kama Sifuna yangu hijakuja lakini zitakuja pamoja kma watu wa Nairobi (Nairobi nomination tickets have not been issued. Even me as Sifuna I don’t have mine but they will come together for all aspirants in Nairobi),” he said.
Explaining further, Sifuna stated that the party only issued nomination tickets to members of parliament who recently defected from other parties in western region, citing Kakamega.
“The priority that was being given were the MPs who defected from other parties like those in Kakamega. They had to be considered first but for Nairobi no one has been given a direct ticket.”
The SG was speaking in Kibera where he joined Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and held a consultative meeting with ODM Women’s league.
Sifuna who has been supporting Wanyonyi’s bid for Nairobi governor assured him of the party ticket ahead of nominations next month.
“Mheshimiwa Wanyonyi I can assure you that you are he sole applicant for Nairobi, I can assure you that you will get your ticket,” he stated.
Wanyonyi on the other hand dismissed rumours that he had dropped his candidature to deputise another gubernatorial aspirant.
“I’m fully in the race to become Nairobi’s fourth governor and cannot now drop my bid for anyone. Nairobi is or home and we as ODM intend to make inclusive and accessible for all women and men alike through fair and transparent representation,” he said.
The Nairobi gubernatorial race has exposed divisions in the camp, as several aspirants who have announced they will be vying under Azimio la Umoja criticise each other public.
Azimio la Umoja which is Raila’s movement in his bid for presidency is supported by at least 22 parties including both Jubilee and ODM.
In the Jubilee camp, there is Governor Ann Kananu, businesswoman Agnes Kagure and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Richard Ngatia who are after the seat.
Issues of integrity remain high stake as Sifuna stated that there is no room for corrupt leaders in Nairobi.
“We want people of integrity with no criminal record. Raila himself is known to be as a person full of integrity and modest. You can’t be corrupt and come to Azimio.”
Sifuna made it clear that ODM party leader Raila Odinga wants to leave a legacy of having a corruption free government, thus no aspirants with integrity issues will be given the nomination ticket.
“Raila has already pledged that his government will jail the corrupt. So If you are corrupt, don’t come looking for a nomination ticket under Raila. Instead of the ticket, we will take you to jail,” he emphasised .
Supporting Sifuna’s statement, Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu suggested that all gubernatorial aspirants should undergo integrity tests to ensure the capital remains in safe hands.
She said the integrity tests should be made mandatory by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) before clearance.
“We want to have leaders who don’t have any scandals or integrity issues. This is because the people we are representing are our voters who need our support and don’t need corrupt leaders in office,” Kananu added.
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