Suba South parliamentary aspirant Caroli Omondi has revealed how he was approached by ODM leader Raila Odinga and his allies to fly their flag in the 2022 race after he ditched the party years ago.
Caroli who served as chief of staff in the defunct office of Prime Minister fell out with Odinga after the 2013 polls but was lured back to ODM to contest the Suba South seat for the third time in a move that is proving to be a poisoned chalice.
He revealed to his handlers that Raila Odinga, the Azimio Presidential aspirant and ODM owner called him for a meeting at Serena Hotel and begged him to fly the ODM flag because he is popular in Suba South.
“I found Raila seated with Governor Oparanya and ODM executive director Oduor Ongwen. Mzee told me that he had reliable information that am very popular in Suba South and he wanted me back in ODM since I had vowed never to vie on an orange party ticket in my life,” Caroli said.
Raila duped him with fake opinion polls which ranked him top of his competitors with 60% in a move to win him back from DAP-Kenya which he had initially intended to use.
The ODM leader who is known for extorting deep pocketed politicians and shrewd businessmen told Caroli to pay his aide Sh20 million, ODM Elections Board chairperson Catherine Mumma Sh15 million and his daughter Winnie Odinga Sh10m to bag the direct ticket to vie for the coveted seat.
But Caroli later realized that Mzee Raila conned him after his campaigns hit a snag with majority of the electorate leaning towards a charged youthful competitor Stephen Sangira who actually stood a chance to win the ODM ticket.
His support nose dived forcing him to seek financial boost from village tycoons Walter Achango, Phabian Kichia, Sangara Kwach and Suleiman Jarabu to revamp his wounded campaigns.
Caroli’s chances of bagging the seat are getting slimmer each passing day as political pundits predict that Sangira who is vying for seat on an independent ticket will carry the day.
Sangira, a businessmen, is enjoying the backing of top ODM luminaries in the region including ODM chairman John Mbadi who is also the outgoing Suba South MP.
And Odinga’s Presidential Delivery Unit Director Hon. Silvance Kosele has also confirmed that Caroli was headed for a resounding defeat in the hands of the youthful Sangira, who is popular with the women and the youth.
Caroli, 57, is carelessly telling villagers that he was not for ODM, but was forced with the party ticket which is turning to be the last nail on his political coffin.
He has since lost morale and booked the entire second floor of Supanova Hotel in Nyatike Constituency for his escapades with young girls ferried from Nairobi.
