An Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate in the grassroots elections scheduled for end of this month, Betty Sharon, has alleged the exercise has been rocked by malpractices in the coast region.
Sharon who doubles up as a human rights activist and who has declared her interest to vie for the position of party Mombasa county branch secretary alleges next week’s countrywide ODM primaries have been rigged.
She claimed county elected leaders have shown their interest and have mobilised party members to rally behind their candidates of choice ahead of the grassroots polls.
"The party primaries will not be held in a free and fair and democratic atmosphere," she pointed out.The candidate has refuted claims that she is not an ODM life member saying those spreading the lies are her enemies.
She was addressing journalists during a media briefing held at the Palm Tree hotel in Mombasa county.
The human rights activist told journalists the trend has been there in the party for decades now stating it’s not the first time the issue has been raised in ODM.
Sharon pointed out party nomination exercises have been previously rigged on the D day of the exercise’s kick off.
"This time we won’t allow malpractices to take place during the much awaited primaries scheduled for next week," she warned.The human rights activist has threatened to hold party primaries if things get worse.
Sharon who was flanked by her supporters told the media ODM as a party belongs to its members and it is not a family affair.
She said they are tired to see the party turned into a family affair rather than being a members’ party.
"We are tired of seeing the party being run like a family affair despite being county electorate," she pointed out.The human rights activist has warned the forthcoming party primaries won’t be business as usual.
On his part, ODM member Oginga Randiki has refuted claims the Luo community is out to grab all the posts in the coast region ahead of the grassroots exercise.
