CORD leader Raila Odinga has said he has a right to campaign for Homa Bay ODM senator aspirant Moses Kajwang.
Raila said as ODM leader he is mandated to campaign for his candidate of choice.
“I have a right to drum up support for any party candidate for any seat,†he said in Homa Bay on Thursday.
He was speaking while with Moses as he presented his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
IEBC cleared Moses to vie for the seat left vacant following the death of his brother Otieno Kajwang in November 2014.
Raila urged voters to turn up in large numbers to support him in the by-election on February 12.
The ODM National Elections Board has been criticised for directly nominating Moses.
During his son Fidel Odinga’s burial, Raila endorsed him for the position, disagreeing with leaders including Homa Bay MPs.
Karachuonyo MP James Rege, Rangwe’s George Oner and former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo said Raila should not influence the locals’ choices.
Rege asked Raila to let Homa Bay exercise its democratic right.
“We are live members of ODM and we love our party leader but let the people of Homa Bay make their own decision,” he said.
Moses appealed for votes from Homa Bay saying he will complete all the projects his brother couldn’t.
The other leaders with him were Nominated MP Oburu Oginga, Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga and Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti.
Homa Bay MP Gladys Wanga, ODM national chairman John Mbadi, Opondo Kaluma, Oyugi Magwanga, Opiyo Wandai, Timothy Bosire and James Nyikal were also present.
Raila later held a rally at Homa Bay county stadium.