Emmanuel Sanya
19 October 2008
Busia — Some members of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have contested the outcome of grass roots elections of the party's District Executive Committee.
They say the exercise was not free and fair.
Shortly after the elections, the new party treasurer in the district James Oundo said the exercise did not represent the true will of party supporters.
"I thank you for having elected me as the treasurer, but am not happy with the outcome of these elections because it is not representative of all sub counties in the district," he said.
The exercise was presided over by Mr Wilber Mbaha.
The elections that were held on Wednesday, at Busia Red Cross Grounds are said to have only formalised the process which had already been done in Busitema Sub county, the day earlier.
"All these seats were allocated to their bearers in a closed door meeting at Busitema. So what we have done is just to fool the party supporters that we are conducting elections but in the actual sense they took place some time ago," Mr Oundo said.
Mr Oundo attributed the alleged unfairness to "influence peddling" by Ms Kevina Taaka, the new FDC chairperson in the district.
Ms Taaka also serves as the party's Eastern Region Elections Supervisor. "What sort of results do you expect when someone who claims to be at centre of mobilising people to vote or contest is also contesting. It's obvious that she was hunting for her votes," Mr Oundo said.
Ms Takaa representing Busia Town Council got 15 votes beating Dr Were Odimbe who has been FDC's Busia District chairman.
However, Ms Taaka denied meddling in the exercise saying the voters exercised their right to vote and they voted for candidates of their choice.
She said the new office bearers should forget their differences and work towards winning state power in 2011.
Others who were elected are Mr Wanyama Omusala;vice chairman, Mr Edward Bwire; general secretary.
The party's new Secretary for the Elderly is Ismail Oduro while Ms Mary Nekesa is the secretary for social services.
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