ODM REACTS AFTER NULLIFICATION OF WANYONYI’S ODM NOMINATION CERTIFICATE

The Political Parties Dispute Tribunal has overturned Tim Wanyonyi’s nomination as the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) parliamentary candidate for Westlands constituency.⁣
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In addition, the tribunal ordered the party to hold new nominations within 72 hours.⁣
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Wanyonyi’s rival Michael Magero Gumo challenged ODM’s decision to grant a nomination certificate to the incumbent MP without participating in the party primaries.⁣
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“We hereby allow the application filed by the petitioner on this matter, consequently we hereby nullify the nomination certificate issued to Tim Wanyonyi and order the ODM party to conduct a fresh nomination exercise for the Westlands MP within 72 hours,” the Tribunal ruled.⁣
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Michael Magero Gumo is the son of long time politician and former Westlands MP Fred Gumo.⁣
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His lawyer Duncan Okatch argued that Wanyonyi did not take part in the party primaries in which Gumo got 1,661 votes with former City Clerk, Phillip Kisia, garnering 627 votes.⁣
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Okatch went on to say that his client spent millions of shillings rallying support for his parliamentary bid and should thus be given the party’s ticket.⁣
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“I personally spent a lot of resources and time to marshall support for my bid. The results were publicly announced thus giving me the legitimate expectation that I would be issued with the certificate,” Magero told the tribunal.⁣
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ODM announced in a statement that the party would discuss and consider he judgement before revealing the next action.⁣
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“Journalists from various media houses have been calling to inquire about the party’s position on the verdict by the PPDT regarding the nomination of Hon. @HonTimWanyonyi as the candidate for Westlands. The relevant organ of the party will meet and give direction in due course,” the statement read.⁣
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Wanyonyi was running for the Nairobi Governor position but withdrew to defend his Westlands MP seat after the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition agreed to support Polycarp Igathe and running mate Philip Kaloki.⁣
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