ODM national elections board had to find a another venue to compile their final list of nominees after disgruntled aspirants invaded their Bomas of Kenya base.
Irate aspirants stormed the venue to demand assurances of fair play from the Roads minister Franklin Bett led team. Bett and his team had to be whisked away by their security details leaving the aspirants helpless and stranded.
A section of aspirants who claim to have won their nominations now fear that they may be locked out of the coming elections.
They are complaining that the party's elections board is taking too long to announce them as winners, raising speculations that “something could be cooking”.
Awiti, who was declared winner by the county returning officer John Mulei against former Communications Commission of Kenya chairman Philip Okundi, said the delay has caused confusion and tension among supporters.
“The social media is abuzz with claims that Okundi has won. The board should take charge and declare the right results. They should not be announced by any other person other than the board because it is the body authorised to do so,” Awiti said.
Gladys Wanga, a women representative contestant in the county said the people had made their choice which must be respected.
“The people of Homa Bay have clearly expressed their views through the ballot. They voted me in as theircandidate and it will not be proper if am denied the right to represent them,” said Wanga.
Yesterday, ODM recorded more than 500 petitions from the concluded nominations. Most of the petitions are from Nyanza province. However, Bett said the party will hasten the hearing of the lodged cases.
“We have our tribunal panels seating at the county levels. Each group has three members to hear and determine the complaints emanating from the aspirants. Our national tribunal at the secretariat will only hear appeals,” said Bett.
ODM started issuing certificates to successful aspirants yesterday, majority of who were nominated unopposed yesterday.
