Anxiety is high in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after the party's National Elections Board (NEB) was alerted of a scam designed by an alleged cartel to defraud the party's aspiring candidates.
The ODM Secretary in Trans Nzoia, Mr John Simiyu claimed to have received reports from several aspirants who had been swindled of their money by a group of people claiming to be part of the NEB.
The alleged victims divulged that the conmen were well organised and they had recruited some of the party officials to make the scam look credible.
“We have been alarmed by the increase in complaints from several aspirants who have been conned of their money by the cartels who include some of the party officials,” Mr Simiyu told journalists.
The gang is claimed to have promised the aspirants a sure nomination during the upcoming party primaries in exchange for the unconfirmed payments.
“The ODM national election board must move with speed to contain this mess which may end up tainting the image of the party since some of the fraudsters are officials,” warned Mr. Simiyu.
Their counterparts in Kajiado East constituency have also raised concerns over some senior officials being partisan. The aspirants claim that the Kajiado Governor, David Ole Nkedianye, as well as the NEB chairperson, Judy Pareno, had both prepared a list of their preferred candidates ahead of the selection process.
“They must stop forthwith as this is likely to jeopardise the party's popularity in the county. Many aspirants may join other coalitions and parties for fear of what is brewing up in the party,” threatened Rianto Kimiti, a parliamentary hopeful in the constituency.
The aspirants have begun speaking with the aim of getting the attention of party leader Raila Odinga who is yet to come back from his trip abroad.
Trans Nzoia is scheduled to have its party primaries on April 9 while Kajiado County will hold theirs on April 17.
