Kisumu County Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga has asked Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to stop undermining women vying for elective posts on the party's ticket.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Ms Odinga accused the the party of meddling with nomination affairs especially those touching on women aspirants.
The Kisumu Deputy Governor cited a case of nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, who has reportedly been denied a chance to vie for the Ruaraka parliamentary seat by the party.
The deputy governor highlighted that ODM National Elections Board (NEB) should not meddle in nomination matters adding that Ongoro should be allowed to vie in any constituency of her choice.
"I support Ongoro and she should be allowed to vie in the constituency of her choice on an ODM ticket. We want ODM to have as many women candidates as possible," she observed.
Ms Odinga further asked the ODM elections board to review the decision to give Ongoro's opponent, incumbent MP Tom Kajwang', a direct nomination.
She also added that the board should always consult widely before making any decisions so as to avoid making mistakes in the upcoming party primaries.
"Those in the committee should sit down and reconsider their decisions especially that of giving Kajwang' direct nomination," she stated.
Senator Ongoro on her part rebuked the party, claiming that its leaders had frustrated her political aspirations and that of other women. She, however, affirmed that she would not relent in her bid to vie for the Ruaraka seat.
"I will be in NASA. I am not coming out of the race. No more intimidation. Enough is enough!" Ongoro declared.
