ODM party officials resign ahead of party nominations

ODM party’s top officials in Siaya County have relinquished their positions to vie for elective posts during this year’s General Election.

The officials including ODM Siaya County Branch Chairman William Ohonde, Secretary Eng Carey Orege and Treasurer Dr Christine Ombaka have resigned from the party posts to vie for elective positions.

Speaking during an ODM Siaya branch special delegates conference meeting at their county office at Awelo Estate, Siaya Town, Dr Christine Ombaka, who stepped aside to defend her women representative post, stated that she took the move as a party’s constitutional requirements.

She said the ODM constitution requires that any official who wants to vie for an elective post must relinquish party positions to avert undue favours during the party’s nominations.

On his part, the branch chairman, William Ohonde, who also relinquished to post to vie for East Ugenya Ward representative stated that the move would pave way for a free and fair nomination process, and pleaded with the ODM officials who will remain in office to ensure that the party primaries are conducted peacefully.

He stated that there should not be any form of discrimination because that would jeopardise CORD leader Raila Odinga’s presidential ambition.

The delegates elected interim officials including Mrs Emily Agnes Awita (chairman), Paul Evans Odhiambo (Secretary) and Roseline Okoko (Treasurer) and according to Mr Ohonde, the officials will help in spearheading the impending party primaries ahead of the next General Election.

He has therefore assured that they (outgoing officials) will provide support where necessary to ensure that nominations are conducted in a free and fair manner.

They also took the opportunity to encourage their supporters to ensure they come out in their numbers to register as voters during the IEBC mass registration exercise that is set to begin from 15^th January to 15^th February 2017, to be eligible to participate in the General Election.