ODM Chairman John Mbadi Quits Homa Bay Gubernatorial Race

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ODM National Chairman John Mbadi receives the newly launched Party Membership Card at his Parliament office in December 2019
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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairman, John Mbadi, had dropped his Homabay gubernatorial bid.

Mbadi dropped his bid just a day after the party announced that it would adopt consensus in some areas to avoid fallouts.

He was set to battle out for the party's ticket with Woman Representative, Gladys Wanga.

In a statement, Mbadi noted that he made the move after careful discussion with the party and that he was committed to ODM.

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ODM Chairman John Mbadi at a press conference in 2019
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"Well, I must say this has definitely been one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in the recent past. What has however made it doable is my unquestioned commitment to the ODM national agenda, quest for national growth and stability and of course my unwavering support to the RT Hon. Raila Odinga's presidential bid.

"In the interest of these, I have today withdrawn my bid from the Homabay County gubernatorial race," he stated.

Mbadi will now focus on Raila Odinga's presidential campaign.

"I will therefore henceforth place more effort in the Azimio presidential bid and the nationwide bid to have ODM secure as many seats as possible...tasks that I am sure I can positively add value to.

"I, therefore, thank all my supporters and even those who were yet to support my bid for this far we've walked. Your relentless and selfless energy towards our real change campaign was just incomparable," he added

In January, the ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna announced that the nominations had already begun in all the 47 counties to avoid last-minute chaos.

The party is using secret opinion polls to identify strong candidates via ballots. Party primaries would be the last resort if dialogue collapses.

On Sunday, March 27, Isiolo Governor Dr. Mohammed Kuti quit politics after serving for only one term as county boss after falling ill. He endorsed Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo for the seat.

Homa Bay County women's representative Gladys Wanga addressing mourners on November 20, 2021.
Homa Bay County women's representative Gladys Wanga addressing mourners on November 20, 2021.
Courtesy Gladys Wanga