That defection moment

Migori Governor Okoth Obado should make his move to ODM official if he wants to be taken seriously, county chief hopeful Ochillo Ayacko has said.

“Obado is yet to put his defection in writing. Wearing an ODM cap doesn’t mean anything,” he said during a funds drive at Kuoyo Kodalo Secondary School in Awendo constituency on Monday.

Ayacko criticised Obado for saying he is the ODM county patron.

Obado announced he had decamped from the Jubilee-affiliated PDP party during a rally organised by Cord leader Raila Odinga on July 8.

During an party event in Uriri subcounty on July 17, Obado declared himself the county patron.

Ayacko said, “ODM has laid down procedures for people who want to defect.”

He urged Obado to focus on projects instead of “seeking political mileage where there is none”.

“His statements show he is afraid of what the electorate has in store for him,” Ayacko said.

Three residents asked a court last week to have the Migori governor seat declared vacant, following Obado’s decamping.

George Bonyo, George Owuor and Wilson Chacha, through Bosire Gichana and Company Advocates, said it is illegal for Obado to retain his seat after decamping.

The three called for Obado to resign. The letter was copied to the Registrar of Political Parties and secretaries of PDP and ODM both at Orange House and Migori county.

According to section 14( 5 )(e) of the Political Parties Act, Obado ceases to be a member of PDP after decamping, and subsequently loses his seat.

Speaking to the Star on the phone last week, PDP party leader Omingo Magara said Obado’s defection “is of no political consequence”.

Raila has said ODM will hold nominations early.