ODM SETS EYE ON 2017 WITH A FIRM GRIP OF NYANZA REGION

The Orange Democratic Movement ODM has set the stage rolling with a clear sight on 2017 general elections after it confirmed the newly elected grass root officials in Nyanza in the just concluded hotly contested polls.

The move is seen as part of a wider strategic plan the party has put in place to hold a firm grip on its strong hold before it reaching out to other regions.

Addressing the media in Kisumu when they presented the certificate to other branch officials, the Kisumu East Constituency chairman Robert Otuge expressed his confidence in the ODM National Elections Board (NEB) for presiding over a free and fair process.

He said their work is clearly cut out for them and their main agenda will be to conduct a massive ID and voter registration in their contribution in delivering the much awaited Raila Odinga presidency.

“I want to take this earliest opportunity to welcome everyone who competed against me back on board particular Kolwa East MCA Osumba Olum to join us as we start the journey to 2017 general elections’’ said Otuge.

The Kisumu East chairman reiterated what other leaders have been saying in the recent past that the luo nation unity is more paramount now more than ever because this is Raila Odinga’s last term and they cannot afford to entertain bickering at his own backyard.

Kisumu East Constituency committee member Steve Ouma said that the confirmation of his team by the National Elections Board has given them the much needed impetus to re-brand the party at the branch level.

“I want to confirm here today that we have decided as a team to embrace our competitors because the war before us cannot be won if there are divisions amongst ourselves’’ said Ouma.

He said they will work tireless to ensure that their branch emerges as the best and well coordinated unit that will deliver the much required votes for the party presidency and for ODM ticket holders.

Kisumu East parliamentary hopeful Nichalos Oricho said they will not only strive to register more voters but also to recruit more loyal party members who can be trusted and be used as agents during the elections.

“We aim to conduct a massive civic education as the party branch to tell our people the importance of holding an ID card not just for voting but also for empowering themselves and why its important to come out and vote on the election day’’ revealed Oricho.

Other counties in Nyanza where the National Elections Board cleared officials are Kisumu County where former Muhoroni MP Prof Ayiecho Olweny has been confirmed as county chairman contrary to other reports that had earlier announced Dave Okwatch as chairman.

In Homabay County, that has been the centre of attention with two powerful warring camps allied to county women Rep and Homabay town MP Opondo Kaluma, Wanga carried the day when Nyanza NEB Commissioner Peter Odoyo handed the certificate to her as the duly elected County chair person.

In her acceptance speech Gladys Wanga extended an olive branch to the Kaluma team and argued them to join her team as they form a formidable force to counter JAP in 2017.

Siaya County the chairman is Willaim Ohonde while Migori County is under the stewardship of Philip Mc’Abong’o.

The move by NEB to clear and confirm the elected candidates now brings to a close the endless bickering and infighting associated with the party and what remains now is for the new officials to embark on the serious work of re branding ODM ahead of the 2017 general elections.

ENDS.