Media personality turned politician, Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, has dispelled claims that he was denied the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the Lang'ata parliamentary race.
In a public announcement on Saturday, April 9, Jalang'o - who resigned as a radio host early February to focus on his political career - rubbished claims that he had been bullied by the party and denied the ticket.
He went ahead to assure his supporters that the party primaries are yet to happen, remaining steadfast that he was in the race to the National Assembly.
"We are in the Langata race to the end! August 9, 2022 is the day!" affirmed Jalang'o.
"No one has been denied the ticket and no one has been given! Forget the rumors."
Kenyans.co.ke can confirm that neither ODM nor any Azimio la Umoja One Kenya affiliate party had held its nominations for any political position in Nairobi. In addition, the Raila Odinga-led ODM has not officially handed any Nairobi contestant a ticket.
Jalang'o seeks to oust Nixon Korir who has served the constituency for one term. Korir on the other hand will be defending his seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The communication by Jalang'o comes at the backdrop of chaos that have rocked some parts of the country with supporters of some candidates protesting decisions by their parties to give direct nominations to some aspirants.
ODM' National Elections Board chairperson, Catherine Mumma, stated that the party would employ four strategies in awarding tickets in order to avoid fallouts.
The strategies include direct nominations, consensus building, competitive nomination and opinion polls and the four will be used interchangeably depending on the number of aspirants. On March 7, Mumma noted that the party had resorted to consensus building in closely contested areas.
"We are pleased to inform our members that the process of consensus-building with respect to the positions of governor, Senator and women rep and MPs for the two countries is progressing well and the conclusion shall thereof be communicated as soon as we finalize," she declared.
Mumma explained that consensus-building involved bringing together all aspirants eyeing the same seat and through discussion, they would decide on whom to rally behind in the elections.
