The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has come out to distance itself from the ongoing murder suit against Migori Governor Okoth Obado who was elected on the party's ticket.
A statement from the party cautioned members of the public from associating the governor's murder and corruption cases with the Orange party explaining that they are criminal in nature and are to be handled by the proper authorities.
The party further dismissed calls for its party leader Raila Odinga to comment on the matter as well as insinuations that the governor's woes were caused by politicians from the party.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who spoke to the Daily Nation, termed the allegations as "far-fetched theories".
"We don't control the police, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Where is the evidence linking the party or anyone in it to the crimes?" Sifuna posed.
He further told the reporters that the party was focussed on getting Ochillo Ayacko elected as Migori Senator during the October 8 by-election.
Migori branch party chairman Philip Makabong'o reiterated the party's position adding that the governor ought to "carry his own cross".
"The governor is our member and we presume him to be innocent until proven guilty as per our laws.
"We are giving the DPP and the Judiciary time to expedite all the legal procedures and if found guilty, we as a part shall not hesitate to start the process of removing him from the party," the branch chairman stated.
Concerned county employees have conveyed that operations have been deterred by the governor's detention.
"The denial of bail has technically grounded operations in this county because the governor is the chief executive officer. His continued detention is a setback to service delivery to the people of Migori," Mr Lawrence Owino, a county employee told reporters.
