A section of Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) aspirants from Kilifi have agreed on Consensus ahead of the party nominations yet to be conducted in the county.
Addressing the Press at the Kilifi ODM offices on Friday, two leaders from Rabai constituency, William Kamoti (sitting Member of Parliament) and Stanley Saburi who are eyeing the parliamentary seat agreed that Kamoti will be the flag bearer for Rabai Parliamentary seat on ODM ticket.
Stanley Saburi shelved his ambition for Rabai parliamentary seat and promised to offer his support for William Kamoti in order to ensure that ODM wins in August General Elections.
“I state without fear of contradiction, without undue influence whatsoever that I now stepdown in the spirit of consensus for Hon William Kamoti and I promise to team up with him,” Saburi said.
Still speaking to the media, he assured the public that he adopted the move not because he was pressured but to the bigger picture of maximizing votes for the party leader, Raila Odinga
He promised to team up with Kamoti to ensure that the party wins the parliamentary seat in Rabai through ODM contestant, William Kamoti.
He mentioned that the party asked them to seat and agree before he came up with the decision.
“It is not like I am a coward or anything to say, but the party asked us to sit down and agree,” he concluded.
Rabai MP William Kamoti thanked the consensus team in Kilifi county for ensuring that nominations adopt an alternative method of ensuring that the aspirants agree without splitting the votes.
He commended Saburi for the move saying that it was willingly done.
“I would like to thank my brother here Stanley Saburi for the decision he has taken. In Rabai our main goal is to ensure that we win and serve the residents collaboratively,” Kamoti said
Kamoti who has been the MP for three terms now told the press that the move will avoid wrangles between the aspirants.
Naftali Owino Kilifi county consensus committee chairperson congratulated the two aspirants and asked other aspirants who are still at crossroads to follow suit on adopting consensus.
“I am praying that all of us embraces it. I am praying for our women representative aspirants, Esther Kache and Witness Tsuma, soon after this we want you also come to the press maybe today or tomorrow and say we have one candidate with all our support to deliver this seat,” Owino said.
Owino said the consensus deal is a good news to the party since it is a team-up move to ensure that ODM wins seats in the county.
He urged the aspirants not to view the move as stepping down in favor of other aspirants but look at the bigger picture of delivering the seats ODM tickets.
He added that the consensus would go on all over Kilifi county to ensure there is no fallout between candidates and vote splits.
“I want to inform you that this process is on-going all over the county, so that we can have stronger teams towards the general elections,” he said
Just 2 days ago, some aspirants from ODM in Kilifi had asked the party not to force aspirants into consensus but let voters decide for themselves.
About the Author
