Kisumu gubernatorial aspirant Ken Obura has accused Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o of faking endorsements in a bid to avoid facing electorates.
Obura urged Kisumu residents to ignore what he termed as side shows, and wait to exercise their civic rights at the polls.
Governor Nyong’o was on Monday endorsed by people who were introduced as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party delegates from the seven sub counties in Kisumu during the launch of county Azimio La Umoja campaigns.
The meeting was also attended by ODM Deputy Party Leader Wickliffe Oparanya, Treasurer Timothy Bosire and Kisii Governor James Ongwae.
But Obura has termed the endorsement move ‘fake’ and an attempt by Nyong’o to avoid facing electorates whom he has lost touch with during his first term in office.
“Nyong’o will go to any length to avoid facing the electorates. He is so scared of facing the electorates, that he will come up with fake delegates, call them into a meeting, ask them to endorse him, try to lobby the Orange house to give him a direct ticket, which is not there,” said Obura.
The former East African Community Chief Administrative Secretary noted that direct ticket is not an option, and that Nyong’o should face electorates if he has delivered in his first term as he claims.
“Let him stop hiding behind these fake endorsements. Let him start campaigning. And the party sent Oparanya to the event to tell them that there will be nomination, and the party will support someone after the primaries,” he said.
And when he addressed the gathering, Oparanya avoided commenting on the endorsement, but asked the party leadership from the area to embrace everyone and ensure free and fair nominations.
“As party’s regional leaders, be neutral, and embrace everyone until after nominations. Not that some party officials who are seeking for political positions running around boasting that they already have certificates, as this scares away many people, and this is not good for us ahead of 2022,” said Oparanya.
Obura is one of the gubernatorial aspirants on ODM ticket, and was last week picked to face Nyong’o following a consensus reached between former Governor Jack Ranguma, Senator Fred Outa, former Speaker Onyango Oloo, and Obura himself.
The former Kisumu Central Member of Parliament says he will not be shaken by non-existent endorsements, saying Nyongo should prepare to meet him in the ballot.