Former Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda has rejoined the ODM party as he seeks to recapture the seat in 2027.
Ouda ditched the party after the incumbent MP Joshua Oron clinched a ticket in 2022 in what his supporters termed 'shambolic' nominations forcing him to defend the seat on an independent ticket.
Ouda said he is still a strong supporter of opposition chief Raila Odinga.
“I am back home which is headed by our party leader. Oron is the current MP and we have to support him to deliver on his development agenda to our people,” he said.
He cited Siaya governor James Orengo, his counterparts Anyang Nyong’o(Kisumus), Gideon Mung’aro(Kilifi) and Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo among others who ditched Raila at one point and later re-joined him.
“Just like my senior brothers who had in the past gone astray and I’m now back home. If I wronged anyone I want to forgive them in God’s name. And for those who might have wronged me, I had already forgiven them,” Ouda said.
Currently, he has strategically engaged in political activities targeted at recapturing his support base.
Ouda has been actively participating in development fundraising and attending strategic events across the constituency as well as funerals to woo supporters.
With Oron eying to succeed Nyong’o, Ouda has thus remained optimistic about recapturing the seat.
Businessman Edward Bob Onyango alias CEO and Kondele MCA Joachim Oketch alias Swagga have also declared interest in the seat.
Onyango, the grandson of the late first female MP and mayor Grace Onyango, has been traversing the constituency seeking support for his bid.
He has been supporting business initiatives among the youth and women.
Oketch has also been seeking support to help him succeed Oron. He is serving a second term as MCA and will bank on his development track record.
Recently during a fundraising for Kibuye Divine Group attended by Oron, Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Oron and Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, Ouda said he will compete on ideologies and not propaganda.
Oron and Aduma will face Owili who hopes to succeed the governor who serving his last term.
Ouda called on residents to give elected leaders ample time to deliver on their pledges.
In July 2022, he absolved Raila from the bungled nominations and instead blamed party officials for rigging him out.
He said Raila was not to blame but some ODM officials who were entrusted with the exercise.
Ouda said his development track record speaks volumes, especially on infrastructure in schools and roads.
“There is no school in my constituency which I have failed to build. I have CDF-funded projects in every school,” Ouda said.
He said during his tenure he fairly distributed bursaries to needy and bright children.
“I want to say sorry to those who might have missed and I pledge to correct where I went wrong in my second term. Vote for me to complete all my development projects,” he said.
“When I was given money to buy a car, I decided to deposit that money into an account, rallied my friends and raised Sh8 million to give full scholarships for children from Form 1 to Form 4."