- Boyd Were, son of the late Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, clinches the ODM ticket.
- Governor Gladys Wanga congratulates him, calls for unity.
- Primaries disrupted by alleged violence involving aspirant Newton Ogada and his supporters.
Boyd Were has emerged victorious in the ODM primaries, earning the ticket to contest the Kasipul parliamentary by-election.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 24, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga congratulated Boyd, saying his win reflected the will of the people.
“I wish to congratulate Boyd Were wholeheartedly for his victory in the ODM party primaries. The people of Kasipul have spoken, and they have chosen a candidate they believe will champion their interests. This is the time for unity,” she said.
Wanga urged ODM members and leaders to rally behind Boyd as the focus now shifts to winning the by-election.
The nomination exercise was not without drama. ODM’s National Election Board Chairperson Emily Awita confirmed that the process was disrupted when aspirant Newton Ogada allegedly stormed the election materials distribution centre with a group of supporters.
“This has been occasioned by the violent invasion of the election materials distribution centre by one of the aspirants, a Mr Newton Ogada, who is alleged to have arrived with goons and started threatening the Returning Officer and other officials,” ODM stated.
The situation worsened after Homa Bay Deputy Governor Douglas Orindo unexpectedly arrived at the venue, further delaying the exercise.
ODM condemned the disruptions, terming them “barbaric” and contrary to agreements made with aspirants before the primaries.
“This incident is not only barbaric but also egregious considering the commitment that the aspirants signed for in the nomination exercise,” the party said.
The party further warned that stern action, including disqualification, would be taken against aspirants who engage in threats, violence, or intimidation.
