Mau row likely to dominate ODM talks

ODM leaders meet on Thursday for talks expected to bring together the feuding camps in the party. The party’s National Executive Council is expected to discuss the party’s position on the proposed constitution. But the differences between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture minister William Ruto could cast a dark shadow on the talks.

Mr Odinga, the party leader and Mr Ruto, one of the two deputy party leaders, have in the past week disagreed over the eviction of farmers and squatters from the Mau forest, Kenya’s largest water tower.

Evictions

The PM has made it clear that the evictions will go on as planned and has described Rift Valley MPs opposed to the evictions as “shedding crocodile tears.” On the other hand, Mr Ruto has described those behind the evictions as “heartless” leaders who do not deserve the positions they hold in government.

On Wednesday, MPs Hassan Joho and Musa Sirma said Thursday’s meeting would discuss the different positions members held over the draft constitution with an intention of striking a deal on a party position. Mr Joho, who is the party’s organising secretary, was the guest of honour during a cultural festival at Shanzu Teachers College cultural festival.

He said: “We are trying to build up a common position on the draft document and sort out many issue afflicting our party at national and regional levels.” He said the divisions arising from the Mau evictions were part of politics and would not affect the unity and strength of ODM. “There is no division of any sort but divergent views affecting the country’s social, political and economical aspects of life.”

Different opinions

“Kenya is a democratic country where leaders are allowed to express different opinions whether political or social.” Mr Joho said the stand-off between Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto was not an the agenda of Thursday's talks. “Ruto has his constitutional right to comment on the Mau issue just like the PM and this should not be viewed as if they were at loggerheads,” he said.

Mr Sirma, a nominated MP, said the differences between the two had been discussed for a long time without reaching a solution. “Even if we talk about it, we will not come to an end,” he said. Mr Sirma said there were clear differences among the members on the provisions in the draft constitution and stated there would points of disagreement.