ODM 'ready' for polls over House team row

Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga has declared that ODM party was ready to go for elections in case of any eventuality as the wrangles to implement the new constitution continues in the coalition government.

Mr Odinga said that ODM will not cede ground and watch its coalition PNU partner scuttle the process of implementing the new constitution that was voted overwhelmingly by Kenyans to bring meaningful changes.

“We are ready to go for elections anytime and I am contented that ODM will win the elections if called,” added the PM.

The PM who was speaking on Saturday during the burial of the retired captain Rev Oketch Mudemb at Anyiko village, Ugenya constituency maintained that ODM will not form any alliance with another political party when the elections are called.

“The party will go it alone into the elections and those challenging ODM should brace for a political showdown,” the PM said.

Mr Odinga said that those who oppose the new constitution have now regrouped to scuttle the process of attaining the new constitution, adding that ODM was prepared to tame them at any cost.

“We voted for the new constitution to end the over 40 years of misrule by the successive regimes and will not allow our wish to be washed away since the new constitution has fundamental changes that can be likened to the difference between day and night.”

“They are the very people whom opposed the new constitution and some were even watermelons who do not have a permanent stand. We will not allow them to hold at ransom the implementation of the new constitution,” maintained the PM.

Mr Odinga told rebelling ODM MPs that the party commanded a broad wave of support from across the country and was content of winning the elections with a landslide.

“Those leaving ODM party are just like a drop of water in the ocean which cannot shake the strength of the party since a number of supporters are trouping to join the party,” said the PM.

He was flanked during the occasion by Ugenya legislator who is also the Lands minister James Orengo, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and PM’s wife Mrs Ida Odinga.

Mr Orengo said the new constitution would only work as expected if Mr Odinga becomes Kenya's president.

Mr Midiwo said ODM was not ready to lose the political battle if PNU reneges on the process of constitution-making.

“We will come back to the people if the PNU wing of the coalition government proves to be difficult to accept our equal demand,” warned the ODM chief Whip.