Ex-Police Spokesperson Charles Owino Joins ODM as Race for Siaya Governor Seat Hots Up

Former Police spokesperson Charles Owino has officially joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

The Siaya gubernatorial aspirant was on Sunday welcomed to the party by Alego-Usonga branch ODM officials in Siaya town.

“This should put to an end the wildly held allegations that I am not in ODM. Now that I have removed my police uniform, I call on my opponents to prepare for a tough battle. After serving in the police service for 29 years, I am now ready to transition to politics,” he said as he pledged to hit the ground running.

He told the electorate that he was the best candidate given his experience in senior positions in the National Police Service (NPS).

Read: Former Police Spokesperson Owino Picks Midiwo’s Widow to Deputise Him in Siaya

“I am calling on Siaya electorates to consider putting into office someone who is capable of implementing projects that will transform the landscape of this region,” he said.

Owino also stated that he was going to stay true to his “pesa mfukoni, ugali kwa meza” slogan by making sure all households have access to basic needs and cushion them from the high cost of living.

The former cop who is will be unveiling his manifesto next week also urged ODM members to pick him during the party primaries which are slated for April 15.

“While the country will go to the polls on August 9, we want to finish the race on April 15 after ODM conducts its party primaries,” he urged the people.

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He called on the party’s national elections board to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and transparent.

This he said as he pledged to support whoever the party settles for next month.

“Even as I commit to support whoever will emerge as the winner, I call on others to be prepared to accept the outcome of the elections if they are defeated,” added Owino.

Others seeking the seat on an ODM ticket include; Siaya Senator James Orengo, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, Deputy Governor James Okumbe, former banker Otieno Okanja, ex-United Nations official Bella Akinyi and advocate George Mugoye Mbeya.

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As for Gumbo, the former cop dismissed his candidacy on grounds that it goes against the regional balancing criteria that was signed and adopted in 2013.

“Having Gumbo, who hails from Rarieda that is an extension of Bondo Sub County as a Governor, will create a big imbalance in the county. From Bondo, we have Dr Oburu Oginga going for the Senate seat while Raila Odinga is set to be Kenya’s fifth President,” he said.

He urged Orengo to remain at the national level and support their party leader Raila Odinga who is seeking to clinch the presidency for the fifth time.

Last month, the senator told off those urging him to remain at the national level saying that he would be more useful to Raila by executing matters at the grassroot level.

 “There are people who say I am best suited for the national politics. That I can only help Raila when I am at the national level. Didn’t Joho come here recently? Isn’t he a governor? Has Oparanya also not been to Siaya? Isn’t he a governor? And Ngilu who was with Raila, yesterday? Is she not a governor?” posed Orengo.