Ugenya constituency residents are now under pressure from Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga to vote for ODM candidate Chris Karan in April 5 by-election.
Karan, whose 2017 election was nullified by the court, is facing stiff competition from former MP David Ochieng of the MDG party.
Speaking at Bar Denge during campaigns on Monday, Rasanga warned voters against defying the ODM party. Bar Denge centre is a stone throw away from Ochieng’s home.
The residents were warned they’d lose county development profits if they do not vote for Karan.
“You risk losing county goodies if you don’t vote for ODM candidate Chris Karan,” Rasanga said.
The by-election has attracted four candidates including Daniel Juma of GDDP and Brian Omondi of Thirdway Alliance Party.
“Just like ODM party leader Raila Odinga said we should not embarrass him in the by-election elections, it is the same way community health workers on county payroll should not embarrass me,” Rasanga said.
The asked the workers to use their network to campaign for Karan.
The ODM Party has launched campaigns with rallies throughout the constituency even as Ochieng opted for door-to-door campaigns. The strategy is contrary to that which Ocheing used in the 2017 election when he conducted rallies to marshall up votes.