PM Odinga, Mudavadi clash over polls

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on Friday reiterated that ODM will conduct its presidential nomination at the county level despite calls by the party leader Raila Odinga to wait for a committee formed to come up with the election rules to hand in its report.

Holding the nominations at the county level would enable delegates to elect the party’s presidential flag bearer without “coercion and manipulation,” Mr Mudavadi stated during a meeting with delegates in Kericho.

But speaking when he met ODM officials from Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the party’s nomination rules are being revised by a special committee and members should wait for the laws. (READ: ODM legislators downplay Raila, Musalia rivalry)

Past nominations

“The rules will be presented to the National Executive Committee before they are gazetted,” Mr Odinga said.

Mr Mudavadi regretted that “leaders of integrity” had in the past lost in such contests because elections were held in avenues where delegates get compromised.

The minister, who will be vying for the party’s presidential nomination against Mr Odinga, said the use of delegates at the county level would guarantee true democracy.

The Local Government Minister made the remarks at Kericho when he met more than 240 delegates from the region to plan ahead of the party’s nominations.

Mr Mudavadi also supported a push by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to dissolve the coalition government in October to pave the way for elections to be held in December.

He said the proposal by the IEBC would enable Kenyans prepare themselves for the vote and usher in devolved governments.

He assured gathered councillors that the State is collaborating with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to enrol councillors who had no post-secondary education for diploma and certificate courses.

This would enable them qualify to vie for various elective seats under the new Constitution. More than 600 councillors are undertaking the courses.

In Western Province, Mr Odinga said that the competition between him and Mr Mudavadi was healthy and is meant to promote internal democracy in the party.

ODM, he added, needs a strong team to win the next polls and party supporters should be allowed to pick strong candidates in a fair and transparent process.

“We should be prepared to accommodate even those who will lose in the party nominations to promote unity,” Mr Odinga said.

The PM said he and President Kibaki are still waiting for the letter from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission before they come up with a proposal on the election date.

He said Kenyans would “soon” know the date after he had consulted with the President on the matter.

“I want to assure Kenyans that President Kibaki and I will not disappoint them on the issue ” Mr Odinga said.