Politics
Magarini Constituency Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials have given the unseated Member of Parliament (MP) Harrison Kombe a direct nomination to contest in the upcoming by-election, aiming to reclaim the party’s victory.
The High Court nullified Mr. Kombe’s 2022 general election victory, a judgment later upheld by the Supreme Court after a nearly two-year legal battle with his rival United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party’s candidate Stanley Kenga. Led by Magarini ODM Chairman Justin Baya, the officials dismissed calls for party nominations and warned the public against conmen soliciting money from unsuspecting candidates.
In a statement read by Chairman Baya on Wednesday, the officials asserted that the incumbent MP had already secured the party nomination during the general elections and ODM does not traditionally subject their incumbent leaders to the nomination process again after an election petition.
“We, Kilifi ODM, confirm that only one candidate will be fielded by ODM, and that is Harrison Garama Kombe. Any cartels collecting bribes under the pretext of assuring others tickets of nomination are warned of disciplinary measures should they continue to hoodwink unsuspecting candidates,” the statement read.
Mr. Baya, who also serves as the ODM Party Coordinator for Kilifi County, urged other leaders and the public to support Harrison Kombe in reclaiming his victory.
However, Kilifi County ODM Chairman Teddy Mwambire countered the announcement, stating that the statement reflects the position of Magarini officials but that the Party Election Commission in Kilifi holds the final decision in determining the candidate to defend the MP seat in the constituency.
Mwambire added that the election commission has not yet decided on the selection of a candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary by-election in Magarini constituency.