Clergy call for disbandment of ODM County Elections Board in Kisumu.

KISUMU.

By Dickson Odhiambo

April 17, 2017.

Clergy call for disbandment of ODM County Elections Board in Kisumu.

A SECTION of Clergy in Kisumu County have called for an immediate disbandment of the elections Board that will carry out the Orange Democratic Movement {ODM} Party’s nominations within the County next Monday.

The about 20 clergy under the banner of the Kisumu County religious Leaders’ Forum say that they are gravely concerned that the forthcoming ODM party primaries have raised concerns amongst some candidates and members of the public who have raised several complaints especially with the composition of the board to conduct the nomination exercise in Kisumu County.

Speaking at Jumuiya Hotel in Kisumu on Monday, the Clergy led by Arch Bishops Winnie Owiti, Dr. Ogonyo Ngede and Salim Mohamed from the Muslim Community, the clergy say they have received a complain from some candidates and members of the public that the party has constituted the structures for conducting its nomination exercise without due consultation.

They said such has been also done in total disregard to the requirement for transparency, fairness and integrity leading to the current situation where the Returning officers, the Presiding officers, Members of the County’s Elections Board and members of the County’s Appeal Board are known close associates of a Gubernatorial and Senatorial Aspirants.

They also said they have received a complain in regard that some polling stations have been merged and this will make it very difficult for voters to walk for long distance to cast their votes.

The clergy now want the ODM Party to abolish the current officers from managing the forthcoming polls in Kisumu.

They also want the ODM Party to fully consult with all the aspiring leaders and raise highly credible personalities who are beyond reproach so as to manage free, fair and credible nomination exercise so as to avoid any chaos.

“We also want the clergy to be fully involved in the nomination exercise up to the very end,” said the clergy, adding that the ODM party should do the above-mentioned demands within 24 hours failure to which they will mobilize themselves and their members in the entire county for the next cause of action.

ENDS: