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| Aspiring Siaya Governor William Oduol displays certificate awarded to him by NAP-K after being disqualified in ODM. (Photo:Eugene Mokua/Standard) |
By Peter Atsiaya
Siaya, Kenya: Businessman William Oduol who was disqualified in the ODM nominations for Siaya gubenatorial seat has been granted another party’s ticket.
Oduol is among aspirants from Nyanza, locked out by ODM, who have secured the National Agenda Party of Kenya (NAP-K) ticket come March 4 General Elections.
Oduol and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s brother Oburu Oginga were disqualified by ODM Elections Board due to the fiasco that marred their contest during the primaries.
Oburu was later announced winner of the nominations a decision that Oduol contested claiming that he was the winner.
Oduol claimed that he had been robbed victory by the returning officer who announced Oburu as the winner of the nominations.
He questioned why the returning officer disappeared only to resurface in Bondo, Oburu’s backyard, to announce the latter as the winner.
Following the controversy in the nominations, the Board’s Chairman Franklin Bett disqualified the duo and handed ODM ticket to Colonel Rasanga.
Oduol contested the move but Oburu welcomed it saying he would support the party.
On Sunday, NAP-K national chairman Alfayo Agufana confirmed that he had handed Oduol a direct ticket to contest for the governor seat.
“Oduol has the NAP-K ticket and he is the party’s candidate for the Siaya Governor’s seat,” said Mr Agufana.
Contacted, Oduol confirmed that he was in the race for the governor’s seat on the NAP-K ticket.
“I have the NAP-K ticket but I don’t want to give further detail about this matter because it is still being handled at the party’s level,” he added.
He added: “I want to assure my supporters that I have not pulled out of the race. I appreciate the support they gave me although I was robbed victory and plead with them to support me at the ballot”.
Agufana said that his party was not supporting any presidential candidate.
He added that candidates who have secured NAP-K tickets were free to support presidential candidates of their choice.
Another aspirant granted the party’s ticket is Gilbert Warm who would be challenging Lands Minister James Orengo for the Siaya Senatorial seat.
Agufana noted that NAP-K has fielded 50 parliamentary aspirants, two governor candidates and three women representatives alongside 170 county representatives in the General Elections.
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