Rift in ODM forces Raila to parade Migori senatorial hopefuls to declare support for Ochilo Ayacko

- Raila reiterated the need for consultations a view to strengthening the support base for the chosen candidate

- The senatorial hopefuls said the decision to handpick Ayacko was approved by all of them

- The seat which fell vacant following ex-Senator Ben Oluoch's death

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has moved swiftly to quell an imminent fall out in Migori county pitting party top hierarchy against local politicians.

This follows after the Opposition party handpicked former Rongo MP Ochilo Ayacko to fly the Orange flag in the senatorial by-election slated for October 8.

Raila invited and paraded some aspirants who had announced their intention to capture the seat which fell vacant following ex-Senator Ben Oluoch's death. Photo: ODM Alert/Facebook.

In what looked like an attempt to suppress any any opposition to Ochilo and avoid any further crack, Raila invited and paraded some aspirants to make public their declaration to support Ayacko.

The seat which fell vacant following ex-Senator Ben Oluoch's death.

During the meeting, Raila reiterated the need for extensive consultations among party members with a view to strengthening the support base for the chosen candidate.

" As a party we have had extensive consultations with all the members and they have agreed to support the party candidate, Ochilo Ayacko. The formal presentation is going to take place tomorrow in Migori County, after which the campaigns will start," he said.

Those who met the ODM leader at his the party headquarters included former MPs John Pesa and Dalmas Otieno, Mark Okundi and Willis Okello, a cousin and son to the late senator.

The rival contestants said the decision to settle on Ayacko was arrived at after consultative meeting with party's National Executive Council and in line with the nomination rules.