Why ODM is not fielding a candidate in the forthcoming Wajir by-elections

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) suffered one of their biggest defeats in the recent Ugenya and Embakasi South by-elections which has been the talk of town with the party vowing to follow thematter to its latter end.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Tuesday pulled out of the upcoming Wajir West by-elections scheduled for April 25, 2019.

In a letter signed by ODM’s Director of Elections Junet Mohammed, the party said the move was occasioned by consultations with the top leadership of Jubilee Party.

According to the Suna East MP, the Raila Odinga-led party “agreed to reciprocate Jubilee’s earlier decision to withdraw from the Migori, Ugenya and Embakasi South by-elections.”

Update: #WajirWest By-Election.

“The party has arrived at this decision following consultations with the top leadership of the Jubilee Party during which we agreed to reciprocate Jubilee’s earlier decision to withdraw from the Migori, Ugenya and Embakasi South by-elections.” pic.twitter.com/6HvTNVsZ5u

— Hon. Junet Mohamed (@JunetMohamed) April 9, 2019

“Just as Jubilee did in the three recent by-elections, ODM will not take sides in the contest in Wajir West. We wish victory to the best candidate,” read the letter.

Mohamed Yussuf had previously been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest for the seat on the party’s ticket but has since defected to Jubilee Party.

The Wajir West seat fell vacant following a decision by the Supreme Court in January this year which nullified the election of Ahmed Kolosh after a successful petition by Abdirahman Ibrahim Mohammed of KANU.

Mr. Kolosh, the former MP who also defected from the ODM party, will fly the Jubilee Party flag in the by-election.