Confusion Rocks ODM as Abraham Ayaya Rejects Party Ticket for Kisa East By-election

By Faith Mwende

Tensions are brewing in Kakamega County ahead of the November 27 Kisa East Ward by-election after Abraham Ayaya publicly rejected the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket, saying he is not a member of the party.

The by-election was called following the tragic death of former MCA Stephen Maloba, who was fatally stabbed during a public event in his ward earlier this year.

Speaking to Tuko.co.ke, Ayaya said ODM wrongly associated him with the party without his consent. He maintained that he has never been a member of ODM and accused party officials of trying to use his name for political mileage.

“I am not and have never been an ODM member. The party listed my name without consulting me, and I will not contest under their ticket,” Ayaya said.

He urged his supporters to remain steadfast and not bow to pressure from influential ODM figures, emphasizing his allegiance to the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), led by Eugene Wamalwa.

“I have been a registered and active member of DAP-K for a while. I’ll be vying on the DAP-K ticket, so ignore the rumours linking me to ODM,” he affirmed.

In a formal letter addressed to ODM’s Kakamega Branch, Ayaya explained that by the time ODM submitted his name to its National Elections Council, he had already been cleared by DAP-K as their official candidate.

“By the time ODM reached out to me, I was already a fully registered DAP-K member. I therefore respectfully decline the nomination certificate issued to me and have returned it,” his letter read in part.

This development adds to ODM’s internal woes in the region. The party had initially given the ticket to comedian Thomas Omurunga Eshuya, who later returned it citing personal reasons.

In his September 23 statement, Eshuya thanked the party for the opportunity and pledged continued loyalty to ODM despite stepping aside. “I thank ODM for believing in my candidacy. I will forever remain grateful and loyal to the party,” he said.

ODM is now expected to announce a new candidate as the race for the Kisa East seat gains momentum. The contest has already drawn interest from several hopefuls, including former MCA Joel Ongoro, who is running under the MDG party, and Ayaya, representing DAP-K.

Meanwhile, ODM’s Kakamega branch remains divided after Governor Fernandes Barasa and Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera both claimed leadership of the county party structure, further complicating its operations ahead of the polls.