Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidates in Bungoma have defied a plea from the party leader Raila Odinga urging them to step down in favour of their Ford Kenya counterparts.
The aspirants who held a joint press conference on Saturday stated that they had worked so hard and invested money in their bids, insisting only voters would decide their fate.
Speaking after a joint meeting, ODM senatorial aspirant Boniface Nyongesa confirmed the stand noting: “We have held a meeting and agreed that none of us will step down for Ford Kenya.”
During a tour of Bungoma County on Friday, Odinga pleaded with the aspirants to step down to ensure they maintain the unity of NASA.
He singled out Nyongesa, urging him to step down for incumbent Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya.
Speaking to a local media house, Nyongesa declined to heed to the plea maintaining that he would continue campaigning until August 8.
“I cannot step down since the Bungoma people have said that they want me. My name will be on the ballot and people will vote for me," he vowed.
The Senatorial aspirant accused Wetangula of attempting to destroy ODM, claiming that he was fighting them even more than their rivals in Jubilee.
The National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate immersed himself in the Bungoma County politics campaigning for the re-election of the sitting Senator.
This drew sharp criticism from a section of his supporters.
