Kenya: Two candidates in the upcoming ODM elections took their campaigns to central Kenya to woo delegates to support their candidature.
Nominated Senator Dr Agnes Zani
Nominated Senator Agnes Zani and politician Reuben Ndolo, who are vying for the secretary general and national organising secretary posts respectively, met county and sub-county officials.
They separately met with leaders from Muranga, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua counties at a resort along Kiambu Road, where they sold their policies.
Zani, who is battling it out with nominated senator Elizabeth Ongoro and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, said if elected, she would ensure all counties are treated equally irrespective of the number of supporters.
“I come from the Coast region where despite being an ODM stronghold that produced a number of governors and lawmakers, the area has been neglected in terms of party posts. I am aware of the plight in central region and if elected, I would end the practice,” she said.
Other positions
She dismissed claims that she is the preferred candidate of the party leader Raila Odinga, saying if individuals for the positions were already known, she would not be campaigning.
“If I am the preferred candidate because of my policies, ability, gender and regional balance, then so be it,” she said. Ndolo, who is the outgoing national deputy organising secretary, got a boost after the officials said they had consulted with other delegates and agreed to support him.
“We haven’t settled for the other positions, but for the national organising secretary, we have all agreed that we will support Ndolo,” Charles Mbugua, the Kiambu County secretary said.
Ndolo said if elected, he would ensure that central region is treated like other regions, noting that the area has been neglected because it’s not a stronghold of the party.
The former Makadara MP also said he has faith in the party’s National Elections Board, noting it is in a position to conduct credible elections.
By Eric Wainaina, The Standard
