Don’t pick leader for us: Mathare youth tell ODM
Mathare youths protested at an alleged attempt to award a direct ODM nomination ticket to former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru’s son.
They stormed the party headquarters in Kilimani demanding an open process to pick the party’s flag-bearer for the Mathare seat.
It fell vacant after the High Court annulled Mr George Wanjohi’s election last year. Mr Steve Kariuki, Wanjiku’s son was the petitioner in the case.
The youths accused Mr Ababu Namwamba and senior members of the party’s transitional team of hand-picking Mr Kariuki for the race.
They were led by Mr Anthony Oluoch, an aspirant for the seat.
Direct nomination
The perception was created when the ODM team gathered at Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s Jesus is Alive Ministry on Sunday in support of Mr Kariuki.
“I have been alarmed by information being peddled by one of the aspirants that he will be given a direct nomination by the party with blessings from our party leader, Mr Raila Odinga.
It is my view that the party should seek the opinions of the constituents before making that decision,” Mr Oluoch said.
He claimed the party had ignored his letters seeking a clarification on the party position.
“I wrote to the interim team on Wednesday but they have not replied,” he said.
Mr Oluoch also accused Mr Namwamba of double-speak and challenged him to walk the talk on democracy during nominations.
ODM offices remained closed during the Monday protest.
The deputy director of communication Maseme Machuka said no aspirant had been handed a direct ticket.
“As far as ODM is concerned, the Mathare seat has not been declared vacant and we are waiting for any developments before taking any action,” he said.