ODM Party Politicians at the rally in Migori aimed at campaigning for their candidate Ochilo Ayacko hit out at Deputy President William Ruto over his remarks that Party leader Raila Odinga was using the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta for his selfish motives.
“We are telling the DP to shut up and let our party leader be. He has made our party leader a punching bag, hurling insults at him at every turn. We are telling the DP loud and clear to respect Mr Odinga because he is not his equal,” said Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
He also dragged Mr Ruto into the Migori campaigns, claiming the Federal Party of Kenya candidate, Mr Eddy Oketch, was sponsored by the DP.
“Let us not allow Mr Ruto to upset Mr Odinga’s support base. All of you should remain united behind Mr Ayacko,” said the Mombasa county boss.
Mr Ayacko is facing stiff competition from Mr Oketch who is backed by Migori Governor Okoth Obado, who is currently detained over the murder of university student Sharon Otieno.
Mr Obado enjoys wide support in the county.
Mr Joho and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed led the ODM campaigns in Nyatike and Migori towns.
“It is Mr. Ochillo Ayacko,” this was the message we passed today at Minyenya primary, Thim Lich, Matoso beach and Migori Bus park. ODM, through our party processes and by the will of the people, believe Mr. Ochilo best represents the interests of the people. pic.twitter.com/zpJxc9HsXV
— Governor Hassan Joho (@HassanAliJoho) October 2, 2018
“On Monday next week, we are appealing to you to turn up in large numbers and vote for Mr Ayacko to represent you in the Senate,” Mr Joho told Nyatike residents.
Nyatike MP Tom Odege told the residents to come out in large numbers and demonstrate their loyalty to Mr Odinga on polling day.
While speaking at the Coast on Sunday, the DP accused Mr Odinga of political conmanship and blamed his exit from ODM on the ODM leader.
ODM politicians Monday hit back, for the second time in as many days.
Mr Mohamed said: “Ruto should stop blaming our party leader for his woes. He has been hopping from party to party, has Raila been the reason behind it? Let him leave Jubilee quietly for we know that is what he is planning. He should not bring Raila into it.”
The ODM politicians asked the DP to stop making outrageous accusations against Mr Odinga.
Mr Oketch Monday pitched tent in Rongo and Awendo sub-counties. He urged his supporters to turn up in big numbers and vote for him.
Others in the race are Mr Peter Jobando (Green Congress Party), Mr Samwel Otieno (Independent) and Mr Dickson Ogolla (Independent). Mr Solomon Hodo of People’s Democratic Party withdrew from the race and backed Mr Oketch.
Migori County has 388,000 registered voters spread out in the eight sub-counties.
The competition has become so stiff that ODM has deployed troops in the region for the past one week. And Mr Odinga is expected to camp in the area for two days.