Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) will issue a direct ticket to immediate former Ugenya legislator, Chris Karan whose election was recently nullified by the Supreme Court, party’s director of political affairs, Opiyo Wandayi has said.
Wandayi said that though the by election, whose date is yet to be fixed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, is open for all interested contestants, the party had chosen to stand by Karan whose election in last year’s general elections was challenged his predecessor, David Ochieng.
Speaking to journalists in Ugunja, Wandayi dismissed rumours going round that the party might opt for another candidate.
“As ODM, we shall support Karan and I am not aware of any attempt to conduct party nominations. We have a candidate already and just waiting for the by election date,” he said.
The immediate former MP’s candidature has also won the support of the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga who urged Ugenya constituency voters to vote him back when the time comes.
Speaking at Siaya senator, James Orengo’s Masiro rural home on Boxing Day, Raila said that the party will not allow candidates from outside ODM to take the Ugenya parliamentary seat.
Raila said it will be an embarrassment to him as a person and the ODM fraternity for Ugenya MP to emerge from a different party and pleaded that voters save him the shame.
Meanwhile, Karan has called on his supporters to remain strong and prepare for the impending by elections.
Speaking at various centres in Ugenya during his first visit since the nullification of his election, Karan said that he was ready to face his opponent and exuded confidence that this time round, he will emerge victorious with a landslide win.
He regretted that most of the development projects he had initiated will be interrupted but expressed confidence that voters will stamp their authority and demonstrate to the courts that indeed they did not make a mistake last year by electing him.
By Philip Onyango
