I didn’t withdraw from Wajir West race because of ODM—Elmi

Immediate former MP for Wajir West, Ahmed Kolosh and the ODM candidate Mohamed Elmi At Ruto’s residence earlier today.

BY: Kunow Abdullahi

NAIROBI—ODM candidate Mohamed Elmi, who stepped down for Jubilee’s Ahmed Kolosh in the upcoming Wajir West by-election now says his decision to withdraw from the race has nothing to do with ODM.

“This decision has nothing to do with the ODM party, which had earlier given me a direct ticket to contest the seat,” he said.

He aded that the decision was reached after days of negotiations with his community.

“I have today withdrawn from the Wajir West parliamentary seat by-election following days of negotiations within our community,” he explained.

The ODM party had earlier Twitted that they withdrew from the race after high level consultation with Jubilee and agreed to reciprocate Jubilee’s gesture of not fielding candidates in Embakassi and Ugenya by-elections by shelving their interest in Wajir West.

Critics believe Elmi’s contradicting response to ODM statement reveals the jittery in the Orange party.

They say Mr Elmi’s statement is clear indication that he was ditching the party and headed to Jubilee even before ODM’s statement.

Deputy President, Waliam Ruto who was pictured with Mr Elmi minutes after his announcer congratulated him terming his decision to withdraw from the race as bold and defines him as selfless leader.