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How ODM’s Kibra Voter Roll Has Forced Raila to Refund Sh2.25M Nomination Fees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is reported to have handed each of the nine ODM aspirants who lost in party primaries Sh250,000 they had paid.

According to the Standard, this follows revelations of how some top party officials orchestrated doctoring of the voters’ roll.

The latest development points to an open admission by the party’s top brass that the process – which was generally seen as peaceful – fell short of a free and fair vote.

Two senior party officials on Monday confirmed to the local daily that Raila returned the funds on Wednesday to Dagoretti High School Principal Peter Orero, who emerged second, Ben Musungu, John Otieno, Chris Odhiambo and Tony Ogola. Others who were refunded were Stephen Okello, Brian Owino, Reuben Ojijo and Eric Obayi.

Some of the aspirants who lost in primaries confirmed that they received their nomination fees from the party.

It is reported that Raila made the decision after an hour-long meeting last Tuesday where the claims of deliberate interference with the register was laid bare in his presence and other party honchos.

A good number of the ODM members who turned up to participate in the exercise either found their names missing or had them mixed up, effectively denying them opportunity to cast their vote.

Raila will today(Tuesday) meet the campaign team of ODM candidate Bernard Okoth (Imran) at AIC Olympic Kibra.

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Ailing Norman Magaya Leaves Country For Further Treatment Abroad

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has confirmed NASA Chief Executive Officer Norman Magaya was on Sunday taken to India for specialized treatment following a heart attack.

Through a tweeted posted on Sunday afternoon, the party confirmed that Mr Magaya will be out of the country for around two weeks. The ODM party shall cater for his medical bills.

“Our colleague Mr Norman Magaya has left the country for further treatment abroad. We expect him to be away for 12 -15 days. During this time, he will be under the care of a panel of expert doctors.The ODM continues to stand with our luminary through this process until his return,” read the tweet.

For several months, Mr Magaya has been battling to regain his health in Nairobi Hospital and even admitted recently of his dwindling finances.

A fortnight ago, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna hinted that Mr Magaya will be flown to India, adding that he was placed in ICU as the party organises for a flight.

“Mr Norman Magaya is currently admitted at The Nairobi Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit as a precautionary measure ahead of his evacuation abroad for comprehensive treatment.

“This follows ongoing management and follow up for a persistent ailment which first began in 2017. His most recent admission occurred on the evening of Wednesday, September 4th,” said Sifuna.

There were claims that his wife wanted him taken to South Africa for medication. However, ODM leader Raila Odinga preference was India.

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Imran Finally Addresses Ksh 2M Bribery Claims in ODM Nominations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement( ODM) candidate in the upcoming Kibra by-elections Imran Benard Otieno Okoth has finally addressed the alleged bribery claims in the just concluded Kibra ODM nominations.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen in the morning show dubbed Jambo Kenya, Imran said that he won the nominations without bribing anyone.

He said he was elected without giving anyone a single cent, arguing that he has never communicated one on one without ODM’s director of communications Philip Etale.

“Sikuunganishwa na Philip Etale, hizi nominations nilipata bila kuhonga hata shilingi. Kusema ukweli, sijawahi kuongea moja kwa moja na Etale,” he said during the interview, which loosely translates to, I was not connected by Philip Etale, I won these nominations without bribing even a single cent. Truly, I have never communicated one on one with Philip Etale.

It had been speculated that Imran may have been rigged in by the party mandarins.

Leaked screenshots that have been circulating on social media since Sunday morning showed that prior to the Saturday poll, Imran was in constant communication with Philip Etale, ODM Communication Director, and his victory may have been well planned even before the Kibra electorates saw the ballot papers.

Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Elections Board Chairperson Judith Pareno had allegedly demanded Ksh2 million from Imran to seal his victory as per the screenshots below.

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Etale however denied the claims, urging Kenyans to ignor the screenshots which he termed as a strategy to cause confusion about ODM’s nominations.

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ODM unveils Imran’s Campaign Machinery in Kibra

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has unveiled the its machinery that will be behind Benard Otieno Okoth Imran’s campaigns ahead of Kibra by-elections.

The party’s director of campaigns and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed will be in charge of Imran’s campaigns.

Junet was officially confirmed to be Imran’s head of campaigns on Tuesday afternoon through the party’s official twitter handle.

Imran was presented with an ODM certificate in a ceremony witnessed by party leader Raila Odinga and other party officials at the Orange House on Tuesday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party has also issued its candidate McDonald Mariga with a party’s certificate which is to be presented before IEBC by today (Tuesday) 4:00 pm.

Imran nd Mariga will face off each other in a battle that is seen to be between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and deputy president Dr William Ruto.

Other contestants cleared for the November 7 by-election are Eliud Owalo of ANC, Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butachi, Malaseh Hamida of the United Green Movement, Editar Ochieng of Ukweli Party (associated with activist Boniface Mwangi) and Fridah Kerubo Kingara, who hopes to run as an independent candidate.

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Blow to Orero as ODM Presents Imran With Certificate Ahead of Kibra By-elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM ticket aspirant Peter Ochieng Orero has been dealt a major a blow after Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) presented Benard Otieno Okoth ‘Imran’ with party certificate ahead of November 7 Kibra by-elections.

Imran was presented with the certificate in a ceremony witnessed by party leader Raila Odinga and other party officials at the Orange House on Tuesday.

The party confirmed Imran’s candidature through a tweet on Tuesday afternoon.

“It is official, Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran) is the party’s candidate in the November 7th by-election in Kibra Constituency. He was today presented with the certificate by the NEB at a ceremony witnessed by PL @RailaOdinga and other party officials #MbelePamoja ,” read the tweet.

Orero had moved before the parties dispute tribunal to challenge Imran’s nomination.

Mr Orero, who is also the Principal of Dagoretti High School, said Imran had an unfair advantage after serving in the constituency office under his brother, where he got access to the list of party members.

It is only registered party members who participated in the contest in which Imran emerged victorious.

Also Read: List of Female Aspirants That Have Joined Male-dominated Kibra MP Race

It is official that Imran will face off with Jubilee’s McDonald Mariga, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi in a race seen to be a battle between Raila and deputy president Dr William Ruto.

Other contestants cleared for the November 7 by-election are Malaseh Hamida of the United Green Movement, Editar Ochieng of Ukweli Party (associated with activist Boniface Mwangi) and Fridah Kerubo Kingara, who hopes to run as an independent candidate.

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Orero Challenges Imran’s Victory in Kibra ODM Nominations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Kibra parliamentary seat aspirant Peter Orero Ochieng has rushed to the party’s Dispute Tribunal to challenge Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran)’s victory.

Orero reportedly claims that the register that was used during the primaries was doctored to favor Imran.

Imran was declared as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate for the Kibra by-election scheduled for November 7 after the primaries that were held on Saturday.

Imran Okoth, who is the brother to the late Ken Okoth, trounced nine other aspirants with 4382 votes.

Peter Orero emerged second with 1218 votes while John Otieno was third with 906 votes.

The nominations kicked off at 7 am and closed at 5 pm on Saturday.

Also Read: Why State has frozen lavish retirement benefits of Raila

The exercise was marred by delays and several voters’ names were found to be missing from the IEBC register in most polling stations.

However, Mac Oremo, the Returning Officer who announced the results, maintained that the exercise was conducted smoothly.

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It’s All Systems go in Kibra as ODM Decides

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Supporters of Orange Democratic Movement Party in Kibra Constituency have moved to the ballot to elect their flag bearer in the upcoming November 7 Kibra by-elections.

All the IEBC gazetted polling stations in the area are in use and voting is currently underway.

All aspirants expressed unity and confidence in odm preparations to conduct the nomination and pledged to support the winner of today’s procees

Party members who are participating in the nominations are expected to leave polling stations after casting their vote. Armed police officers have been deployed to Kibra to man polling stations as well as to patrol in all parts of the constituency

Aspirants are expected to ensure their supporters adhere to the rules of nomination. Any aspirant who will cause tension, violence or engage in any form of malpractice will be punished.

10 candidates are battling out for an ODM ticket. They are Stephen OKello Oguwa, Christone Odhiambo Owino, Peter Ochieng Orero, Tony Ogola Sira Sine, Reuben William Ayako Ojijo, Obaricks Eric Ochieng Obayi, Brian Shem Owino, Benson Musungu, John Milla Otieno & Bernard Otieno Okoth.

The winner of the ticket will face off with Jubilee party’s McDonald Mariga, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya’s Eng Khamisi Butichi in by-elections.

The Kibra MP seat fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer in July.

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ODM Membership Register to be Used in Kibra nominations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party membership register will be used in the Saturday September 7 race for the party’s ticket in upcoming Kibra Parliamentary race.

The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) led by Chairperson Senator Judith Pareno on Thursday briefed all candidates for the party ticket on the preparations for the nomination exercise.

The board said that all 180 polling stations gazetted by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will be used in the exercise.

ODM Party leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday made clarifications concerning the nominations declaring that his support for the candidates was impartial.

He further dispelled the rumours that had been doing rounds concerning the AU Envoy secretly handpicking his candidate.

Amid cheers, Raila concluded his short address by assuring the elated aspirants that nominations will be free of bias.

“The nominations will be free and fair because this is a friendly match. I will guide whoever will emerge victorious.”

The aspirants seeking to contest for the Kibra seat on an ODM ticket include,  Awino Christone Odhiambo, Orero Peter Ochieng’, Sine Tony Ogola Sira, Ojijo Reuben William Ayako, Oguwa Stephen Okello, Okoth Bernard Otieno, Obayi Obaricks Eric Ochieng’, Owino Brian Shem, Millar John Otieno, Musungu Benson and Owade Lumumba Patrick.

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PHOTOS: Raila convenes a meeting with all ODM aspirants ahead of Saturday showdown

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM party leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday convened a meeting with all the aspirants ahead of Saturday showdown where they will compete for the ticket.

He held a discussion with the candidates for the party ticket in the Saturday 7th September nominations, where among others, Odinga was assured by the aspirants that they will strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the party besides rallying for peace.

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“PL @RailaOdinga today held a discussion with candidates for the party ticket in the Saturday 7th Sept. nomination exercise. The aspirants assured the party leader that they will adhere to the nominations rules and that they will ensure the exercise is peaceful,” the party confirmed.

Already, Jubilee party has fielded former footballer McDonald Mariga while ANC has settled for Eliud Owalo. Ford Kenya will be represented by Ramadhan Khamisi.

The seat was left vacant following the death of ODM legislator Ken Okoth in July.

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It’s all systems go as ODM issues Saturday’s nomination procedure in Kibra

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has issued the procedure that should be followed in their upcoming Saturday 7 nominations ahead of Kibra by-elections.

The nominations that were to be held on 31st August were pushed to September 7 over lack of security personnel who were engaged in the census exercise.

The star had on Wednesday morning reported that ODM was considering a consensus in the Kibra primaries, a report that has been dismissed by the party.

The party through its official twitter handle on Wednesday asked Kenyans to ignore the story by The Star, saying that they are ready for the nomination exercise.

The party further noted that all candidates who were cleared for the nominations are also ready for the exercise.

“We are ready for the nomination exercise in Kibra this Saturday 7th Sept. 2019 at all @IEBCKenya gazetted polling stations. All candidates who were cleared for the nominations are also ready for the exercise. It is all systems go,” read the tweet.

The party further asked the media to stop speculations that are aimed at causing unnecessary friction and tension, arguing that the party has proper channels of communication and any information needed for dissemination should be sought from the SG, ED or the Director of Communications.

“The media should stop their speculative tendencies that are aimed at causing unnecessary friction and tension. We have channels of communication within the party and any information needed for dissemination should be sought from the SG, ED or the Director of Communications,” read the statement posted on twitter.

All the ODM supporters and members in Kibra constituency have been urged to prepare for the nominations exercise on Saturday. They should carry their ID and membership card to participate in the exercise.

“We urge our supporters and members of the party in Kibra Constituency as well as our candidates for the party ticket to prepare for the nominations exercise on Saturday, they should carry their ID & membership card to participate”

ODM further revealed that all party members are listed in the register and will be identified once at the polling station before taking part in the exercise.

However, Only ODM Party members will be allowed to participate in the nomination exercise in Kibra.

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‘ODM staring at eviction from Orange House over rent arrears’

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a few months ago, Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) admitted to have been in a deep financial crisis and and that it was unable to run some of its operations including grassroots elections.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed who doubles as the director of elections admitted at a public event in Migori county in March this year that the Orange party was broke and needed to be bailed out to get back to the right track.

The party stated failure by the government to remit the political parties’ funds on time as the cause for its financial crisis.

However, exiled lawyer Dr Miguna Miguna seem not to have read from the same script as ODM.

Miguna is now claiming that the Orange party has been unable to pay rent at Orange house since last year.

According to the self-declared general, in December 2018, Caroli Omondi evicted Raila’s ODM from Orange House.

Miguna states that ODM begged him for an extension of the lease until March 2019 which came but the party failed to honor its pledge.

Miguna says that ODM cannot pay rent at Orange house up to now, accusing the party of getting used to theft and exploitation.

“In Dec. 2018, Caroli Omondi evicted Raila’s @TheODMparty from Orange House. ODM begged him for an extension of the lease until March 2019. March came and went but ODM which recently received Shs. 3 Billion public funds still can’t pay rent. They are used to theft & exploitation,” tweeted Miguna Miguna.

Orange House is the property of Caroli Omondi, who was once the principal administrative secretary in Mr Odinga’s prime minister’s office between 2008 and 2013.

ODM has been using the building since 2006, months after the party was formed.

Last year, ODM denied reports that it was being kicked out of Orange House, insisting that it was to leave out of mutual understanding.

The one-storey building, located in Nairobi’s Kilimani, is the base of ODM’s national secretariat.

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Sifuna defends ODM’s 10 million budget in Kibra nominations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga’s ODM party has planned to spend Sh10 million to conduct nominations ahead of Kibra parliamentary race.On Wednesday, the nominations that had been scheduled for Saturday 31st were postponed to September 7 over security concerns.

The party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna defended the high budget, saying the money was meant to make the contest free and fair.

“We want to run a free and fair democratic contest. Each of the candidates cleared will be given an equal chance to prove his popularity without any interference,” said Mr Sifuna.

Sifuna also revealed that ODM had handed the names of 11 candidates cleared to run in the primaries to IEBC.

He noted that since the party has been blamed for holding shambolic nominations in the past, a situation that led to an exodus of some of the candidates to other parties, ODM will this time be keen to avoid such a scenario.

“We are not going to entertain chaos. If you try to cause chaos we will de-register you from the party. You must conduct yourselves with utmost civility,” Sifuna told the candidates.

Those cleared are Christone Odhiambo, popularly known as DJ Kriss Darlin, Peter Ochieng, Tony Ogola Sira, William Ayacko and Stephen Okello.

Others are Bernard Otieno, Eric Ochieng, Brian Owino, John Otieno, Benson Musungu and Patrick Lumumba Owade.The by-election will be held on November 7.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Ken Okoth on July 26.Sifuna reiterated party leader Raila Odinga’s remarks that the exercise will be free and fair, and urged candidates to promote party values.

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Uproar as ODM clears Nairobi goon for Kibra MP seat

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Monday cleared 20 candidates who are set to battle in the forthcoming nominations ahead of the Kibra parliamentary by-elections.

The party’s National Elections Board vetted the 20 candidates ordering them to pay a nomination fee of Ksh 250,000 by today(Tuesday) noon.

However, Kenyans on twitter have caused a storm after they argued that one of the contestants in ODM’s nominations scheduled for Saturday 31st August is a renown goon.

Kicking off the debate, controversial blogger Robert Alai asked the party through its official twitter handle if criminals have the right to vie.

On Monday, another controversial blogger, Disembe Dikembe endorsed Brian Shem Owino, whom Kenyans are opposing following his criminal record.

In May last year, Mr Owino was a wanted man by police over an assault case. He was accused of assaulting a Nairobi businessman Timothy Muriuki.

Brian Shem Owino surrendered to police at Nairobi Area DCI hours after he and his accomplices lost a bid to stop their arrest.He was taken in for questioning and possible prosecution.

Nairobi DCI Nicholas Kamwende and his lawyer Edwin Sifuna confirmed Owino’s surrender.

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Brian Shem Owino in Court. PHOTO/COURTESY

Edwin Sifuna is the ODM secretary general, who on Sunday during the unveiling of the candidates at Kamkunji grounds in Kibera insisted that he was not going to allow any arrogant people to vie.

Owino and his four accomplices had moved to court seeking protection. Sifuna secured his release.

They were captured on camera manhandling the former Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) chairman at Hotel Boulevard on April 30.

They had moved to court saying their personal security was at risk and that they could be eliminated by the police or deported to an unknown destination on the fake grounds they are not Kenyans and sought anticipatory orders pending their arraignment.

But the court declined to issue the orders and ordered them to appear before police for processing.They said they were ready and willing to surrender to the police but were apprehensive of their personal security and that their anticipated charges were defective, had no basis in law and  were unconstitutional and unsustainable.

Brian Shem Owino will face other candidates in ODM nominations and if he makes it, he will carry the ODM flag and face other party’s candidates who among them are candidates from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee and Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party.

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Kisumu MCAs to face ODM’s disciplinary committee for undermining Governor Nyong’o

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Party (ODM) has summoned six Kisumu MCAs for violating party principles and trying to undermine Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o .

The summoned MCAs are to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee on Friday at Kisumu Central ODM party office. 

Those summoned are Majority leader Kenneth Onyango, Chief Whip Gard Olima, the Deputy Speaker Roy Samo, Nominated MCAs Jane Manuche, Nyangoya Oguok and Caleb Omoro.

The summons letter was signed by the secretary of the Disciplinary Committee Paul Otieno, the six are expected to appear before the committee at the Kisumu central ODM party office.

The six are to answer to different allegations and are liberty to be accompanied by their legal counsel.

Samo is accused of convening a press conference and calling Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, an ODM member, a ‘flower girl’ who has not been chairman of a cattle dip.

Olima is accused of failing to whip members to back the county government agenda in the assembly and instead whipping them to jointly oppose the administration agenda.

He has also been accused of convening and participating in a press conference where the top county leadership and senor party members were maligned in public.

“You are invited to appear before the committee on Friday, August 30 at 10.30am to respond to the issues raised,” read the letter copied to the party leader Raila Odinga, secretary general Edwin Sifuna and the Kisumu county ODM chair. 

The nominated MCAs are also accused of not supporting party ideologies and interests in the assembly.

However, some sources claim the summons relates to the impeachment of Finance CEC Nerry Achar, despite party various calls not to impeach officers.

The MCAs had claimed that Achar was failing the county as a whole. She refused to quit.

The summons follows the part’s county delegates conference at Tom Mboya Labour College where various leaders, including the MCAs, were warned against violating the party’s wishes and directives.

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ODM gives its 20 cleared Kibra aspirants a tight deadline to pay nomination fees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The ODM National Elections Board (NEB) has vetted and cleared 20 aspirants for the vacant Kibra seat to take part in the party nomination exercise scheduled for Saturday 31st August 2019.

In a vetting exercise held on Monday, the aspirants have however been given a tight deadline to pay a non-refundable nomination fee of Ksh 250,000.

They have up to today( Tuesday) midday to pay the nomination fee to be eligible for the exercise.

A total of 23 people had picked application forms for the nomination exercise slated for August 31.

Board chairperson Judith Pareno urged cleared aspirants to pay fees by midday Tuesday or be locked out of the nomination.

The nomination exercise will be held in all IEBC registered polling stations in the constituency and only party members will participate.

The Kibra constituency by-election is scheduled for  November 7.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Ken Okoth on July 26 after a battle with cancer.

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Former Raila’s right hand man dumps ODM Party

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s former aide Eliud Owalo has officially resigned from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

While tendering his resignation from the Orange Party, Owalo noted that his political ideology, convictions and belief no longer has convergence or depict any congruence and common denominator with that of the ODM Party.

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Owallo has been rumored to be among the 15-member think tank which has been allegedly hired by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi ahead of his 2022 political gameplan.

In 2013, Owallo worked as Raila’s presidential campaign manager, but the two fell out in the run-up to the 2017 polls after contesting the Kibra parliamentary seat.

Also advising Mudavadi is lawyer Sam Karanja who chaired Jubilee’s Appeals Tribunal.

Owallo is also among politicians eyeing Kibra parliamentary seat that fell vacant following the demise of former MP Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.

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