Namwamba says ODM to set up branches in all counties

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seeks to establish party branches across the country to woo voters ahead of the next general elections, an official has said.

Speaking in Eldoret Tuesday, Budalangi Member of Parliament, Ababu Namwamba who is contesting for the party Secretary General’s position in the forthcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC) scheduled for this Friday said that ODM will establish branches in all the 47 counties.

According to Namwamba, this is the only way that the party will effectively reach out to all its supporters at the grassroots.

Mr Namwamba was speaking to delegates drawn from the North Rift region.

He said that time had come for the party to lead this country after losing in two consecutive elections.

The outspoken legislator also noted that Friday’s elections are meant to re-align the party in order to defeat their opponents in the 2014 elections.

“We are going to take advantage of the Political Parties Act and set up new ODM branch offices across all the counties and sub-counties in this country.

This move is meant to help us win the next general elections in a free and fair manner,” Namwamba said.

He at the same time revealed that ODM will nominate its flag bearers six months prior to the 2017 elections in a bid to curb corrupt malpractices which have been witnessed in the previous years.

Namwamba was accompanied by governors Ali Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Josephat Nanok (Turkana).

Joho is eyeing the Deputy Party Leader’s post while Nanok seeks the Chairman’s position in the elections which will take place at the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

The governors, received endorsement from delegates drawn across the counties of Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans-Nzoia and Turkana.

The delegates said they are best placed to help the party clinch the top seat after losing in two consecutive elections.

However, Governor Joho called upon all the delegates who will participate in the elections to treat the polls with seriousness dismissing calls for sharing out of some top party positions.

“We are moving across this country as visionary leaders under the ODM party because we seek to ensure that we are well-prepared for the 2017 general elections.

EXPERIENCED POLITICIAN

As an experienced politician, I am dismissing calls that top positions in ODM be shared to impress some people. I am calling upon delegates to go ahead and decide on who fits to be in-charge of a certain position,” Governor Joho said.

Mr Nanok said the National Delegates Conference is a milestone in the history of the country’s political landscape as they are meant to bring on board a new group of leaders that is transparent and competent to realise the party’s vision.

“Moving forward as a party and particularly in the run up to the 2017 general elections, we seek to ensure that we use this election to breathe new life into our party and more so usher in an energised crop of leaders who will counter our opponents in the next elections,” Governor Nanok said.

Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadegu who is part of the team under the ‘ODM Team Fresh’ umbrella said the camp is best suited for the party’s top leadership.

The team also includes Bomachoge MP Simon Ogari (Treasurer), Eldas MP Aden Keynan (Vice Chairman), Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga (Deputy Organising Secretary), Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura (Deputy Secretary General) and Suleiman Ndori who is vying for the Deputy Organising Secretary’s position.