Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has settled on David Were as its candidate for the March 4, Matungu Constituency by-election.
Were, a former area MP was on Wednesday handed a direct ticket by ODM after three other candidates failed to return nomination papers.
The party also issued direct nominations for its candidates for civil seats in Kiamokama, London and Huruma wards in Kisii, Nakuru and Uashi Gishu counties respectively.
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“At the end of the December 24 deadline, we had one candidate each out of the four electoral areas IEBC had published,” Dr Catherine Mumma, the ODM National Elections Board Chairman said at the party headquarters in Nairobi.
Ms Mumma went on: “We did not have any of the electoral areas that had more than one candidate and that is why we as ODM has not conducted any party primaries.”
Any speculation that we have locked out anyone is wrong, erroneous, and false,” she added.
While accepting his nomination, Were said he is “coming back” to complete the stalled CDF projects he had initiated as well as those started by immediate former MP late Justus Murunga.
“I believe because of my 15 years’ experience, once re-elected it will be easier to know from where to start because I understand the constituency’s challenges in its totality,” he told journalists.
“I want to assure Kenyans that I will deliver this seat on the ODM ticket,” he added promising to hold peaceful campaigns.
He, however, cautioned the area residents not to involve themselves with national politics pitting his party boss Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.
“We will be very peaceful and not abusive, in fact, I will be begging for their votes because I know their problems. We will not involve ourselves with national politics that will come in 2022. We have limited time, we only want to concentrate with developments,” he held.
