National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga has been accused of dividing the Nyanza vote by asking voters not to support independent candidates in the region.
Angered independent candidates, area residents and a number of voters in Nyanza further accused the NASA leader of supporting groups that instigated irregularities in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominations.
Mbita parliamentary aspirant Gym Akali Agembe warned the ODM party leader that his directive would cause voter apathy in the region urging him to embrace inclusion.
Awendo Member of Parliament Jared Kopiyo echoed the sentiments stating that independent candidates in the region were all in support of the party leader's presidential bid and he had no cause for alarm.
"I am yet to hear of an independent candidate in Nyanza that is not supporting Raila's presidency," Kopiyo observed.
Independents from the Kasipul constituency Okindo Majiwa and Isaac Ongiri, urged the leader to focus on his presidential bid and let the people of Nyanza decide who they would like to elect.
"Everybody in Luo Nyanza has Raila's vote and he does not need to come here or campaign for any candidate. Let him go to other regions and seek votes," Majiwa advised.
"I am appealing to Raila to let Nyanza residents elect leaders of their own choice. His presidential bid is more important than who wins the other seats," Ongiri added.
Raila called on NASA supporters to vote only for candidates drawn from affiliate parties in the coming August 8th polls citing that independents were only in the race for their selfish interests and would not fulfil the coalition's manifesto.
Read More: Raila Warns Independent Candidates in NASA Strongholds
