ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen has defended a move to grant his wife, Mrs Emily Oduor, a nomination to the Nairobi County Assembly.
Mrs Oduor was listed under the party list of "gender top-up" nominees, a move that sparked an uproar among party members.
Mr Ong'wen, however, denied accusations against him that he had advocated for his "wives and children" to be included on the list.
"For some time now there has been talk to the effect that I, Oduor Ong'wen, took advantage of my position as the party's executive director to propose my 'two wives', children, sister-in-law, secretary and girlfriends for the party lists," Ong'wen relayed.
He went on to dismiss the claims citing that he has only one wife and none of his children were on the list because they do not have interest in politics.
"I have three children and none of them even contemplated applying for the nominations," he explained.
The ODM Chief added that he had declared a conflict of interest at a meeting involving the party's Central Committee on June 23 where it was resolved that his wife should remain on the list.
Ong'wen added that his wife was picked on merit, having been one of the three people who published the Mayienga newspaper between 1993 and 1998.
During the presidential debate on Monday, ODM Party leader Raila Odinga was asked to respond to claims that during his tenure as the Prime Minister, his office was run by family members and fellow tribesmen.
The Opposition leader denied the claims, asserting that he had people from all tribes working at the office.
