Cracks deepen in ODM

• The rivalry within ODM’s ranks is threatening to tear it apart, with strong indications that leaders from Rift Valley are seeking new political alliances

The fallout within ODM has taken a new dimension as Agriculture minister William Ruto’s supporters seek to wrest control of the party from Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

There is even talk of new political alliances. On Friday, the PM and Mr Ruto attended different rallies within a radius of 5km of Kisii.

At the meeting attended by Mr Ruto, South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara sprang a surprise when he paraded officials of a party named the People’s Development Party (PDP) and asked the crowd to “watch it closely”.

The party is one of the corporate members of the ODM coalition.

MPs allied to both leaders have taken divergent positions on several key matters in Parliament. Mr Ruto has also been on the offensive to consolidate his position in the party in what ODM insiders see as part of the battle leading to the party’s eventual nominations to pick its presidential candidate for the next General Election.

Mr Ruto, a deputy party leader, is seen as seeking to win the backing of the various parties within the ODM coalition as he seeks to strengthen his hand in the party.

But Mr Odinga’s allies have dismissed the minister’s efforts as those of a man who has failed to read the mood of the nation and signals being sent by the international community on the need to try people suspected of financing post-election violence.

Several MPs interviewed by the Sunday Nation conceded that the deep divisions within ODM had led to consideration of new alliances.

The differences within the party played out as Mr Odinga campaigned for the ODM candidate in the upcoming Bomachoge by-election.

Although the PM told one rally that Mr Ruto and Mr Magara would join the final rally at Menyenya where he said the Agriculture minister would listen to the complaints of tea farmers, the duo never showed up.

On Saturday, Mr Magara said he had informed the PM about the harambee held in his constituency in advance and that Mr Odinga understood.

“We consulted with the Prime Minister on Wednesday, and I explained that the harambee was postponed last time because the President was touring Sondu Miriu. He understood, and we struck a bargain that both functions would go ahead,” he said.

Mr Magara and several other MPs at the rally vowed to shoot down a bill that would pave the way for trial of those suspected of being behind the post-election violence.

The MP, who is ODM’s national treasurer, said the party had not taken a position on the matter, adding that earlier pronouncements by the party’s secretary-general Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o that the party would back the bill were personal.

Vice-chairman Adan Duale and organising secretary Ali Hassan Joho dismissed claims of cracks in the party.