Quit the race, Raila allies tell Mudavadi
Prime Minister Raila Odinga is ODM’s “natural flag bearer” and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi should quit the race, insist some party delegates.
They also criticised Mr Mudavadi’s call for the party’s presidential nominations to be held at the county level. (READ: ODM primaries for top seat to be done in counties)
Led by Nairobi businessman Hillary Alila, a delegate from Homa Bay County and Mr Jacob Rotich (ODM Uasin Gishu youth leader), the delegates said there should be no roadblocks in Mr Odinga’s bid for State House.
The delegates allied to the PM insisted he was the party’s “natural flag-bearer” in the coming elections.
“We need to change our constitution so that whoever is the party leader becomes the automatic presidential candidate for the party,” Mr Rotich said.
Mr Alila urged those interested in the party’s presidential ticket to follow its constitution which says that nominations are currently done at national level and not counties.
Other party officials, however, want the political rivalry between Mr Odinga and the DPM resolved amicably to avoid splitting the orange party.
Westlands ODM secretary-general councillor Jaffer Kassam said competition in the party was good for democracy.
He cautioned that the contest between the chairman and his deputy should be handled with care. “The two should agree for the benefit of the party,” Mr Kassam said in Nairobi.
Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo said although internal democracy should be encouraged within political parties, that latitude has to be exercised with care so that ODM did not send confusing signals.
“Kenya is at a critical stage where it needs a battle-hardened reformer. It will be better off with a Raila-Mudavadi candidature with Raila being the general for the big battle ahead,” Mr Gumbo said.
