Raila Takes Political Wars to Ruto’s Doorsteps, To Field Candidate in Eldoret by-Election

ODM party leader Raila Odinga is set to retaliate against Ruto’s past encroachments to his strongholds by fielding a candidate in Eldoret by-Election Huruma Ward.

Through a statement released by the party’s National Elections Board on Thursday, ODM acknowledged receiving applications from interested candidates for among them Huruma Ward Representative in Uasin Gishu county.

Among other wards which the party confirmed their receipts include Kiamokama Ward in Kisii, Londo ward in Nakuru as well as Matungu constituency in Western Kenya.

But it was ODM’s decision to field a candidate in one of the wards sitting pretty at the center of Uasin Gishu county, one of Deputy President William Ruto’s stronghold, that caught the attention of many.

According to analysts, the decision could be seen as an attempt by ODM party leader Raila Odinga to get back at his opponent Deputy President William Ruto, who has in the recent past, been challenging him in his own strongholds, including in Luo Nyanza.

Despite this, Ruto is more likely to support the late Jomba’s wife Lucy Jomba. During the burial of the deceased MCA, Ruto urged anyone who could be interested for the seat to hold their ambitions and allow Lucy, who is also a nominated MCA to finish what her husband had started.

And last week, Chama Cha Mashinani Huruma Ward aspirant Maina Wachira stepped down and instead offered to support Lucy Jomba for the seat.

The seat fell vacant following the death of the area MCA Peter Jomba.

Another interesting development is that ODM will go for the Matungu parliamentary seat in Western, despite pleas from some of Musalia Mudavadi’s allies that Raila leaves the seat for ANC.

The seat fell vacant following the death of the area MP Justus Murunga.