ODM still strong, says Raila

STEPHEN MUDIARI | NATION
Prime Minister Raila Odinga addresses a press conference on his arrival from South Africa, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Friday. He said that he was preparing a report on the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, which he would hand over to the African Union in Ethiopia next week.

What you need to know:

  • Orange’s strength will be proven when it holds grassroots elections from March, says leader after key allies ditch the party

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday maintained that the Orange Democratic Movement was strong despite recent political events perceived to have weakened the party.

He said that “Orange House is moving on” and this would be proven when the party holds its grassroots elections from March.

“The party is functioning,” said Mr Odinga on his return from South Africa, the last country he visited in his shuttle diplomacy to end the political crisis in Cote d’Ivoire.

Mr Odinga was in December appointed by the African Union as a mediator to the crisis but his party suffered several political blows in his absence.

The party’s appointed Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Dr Sally Kosgei, wrote to say she had quit the position.

Missed crucial meeting

Former Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, considered the PM’s ally, stepped aside over a corruption prosecution and has since been seen to distance himself from the party leader’s faction.

He also missed a crucial ODM meeting despite being the party’s chairman, later saying he was meeting his lawyers.

Suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto has also teamed up with Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka in a new political alliance that could affect Mr Odinga’s bid for the presidency in 2012.

Last Monday, Mr Odinga’s allies in ODM said the party was a victim of a smear campaign to discredit its leadership.

On Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Odinga said diplomatic isolation and financial sanctions could be the next option to end the crisis. He, however, said forceful removal of strongman Laurent Gbagbo by the AU would be the last resort.

He also warned Mr Gbagbo that he was running out of time and options to end the stalemate between him and the internationally recognised Alassane Ouattara.

“(Forceful removal) is the very last resort. It is an option but not one you would want to exercise easily,” said Mr Odinga.

Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Friday, Mr Odinga also hoped that a political solution would be reached.