Dispute over top ODM seat rocks party

The fight for the post of secretary general in ODM heightened at the weekend with Coast leaders threatening to pull out of the party elections if their Nyanza counterparts insist on retaining the seat.

But seven MPs from Nyanza vowed to fight for the position to remain in their region even as Kinango MP Gonzi Rai issued the threat.

“Leaders from the coastal region do not have any political home in ODM. What they have to do is sit down and figure out alternative ways that can determine their survival,” said Mr Rai in Kwale. “What ODM has done is a clear indication that it is not democratic enough and does not think about the aspect of regional balance.”

He challenged Coast leaders to think of an alternative strategy for the year 2017.

But even as he spoke the seven MPs from Nyanza warned Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ and nominated MP Oburu Oginga against misleading party leader Raila Odinga to back Dr Agnes Zani for the position currently held by Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o.

POWERFUL POSITION

“Kajwang’ and Dr Oburu are behind the list that includes Dr Agnes Zani whom they are fronting for the post of secretary general,” said MPs John Mbadi (Suba), Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Ken Okoth (Kibra), Silvanus Osele (Kabondo Kasipul) and Agostino Neto Oyugi (Ndhiwa).

They said the powerful position must remain in Nyanza.

They accused Mr Kajwang’ and Dr Oburu of misleading Mr Odinga.

Mr Osele asked the two leaders whether they were out to “kill” ODM in the Coast or build it.

“If Coast has to get a national slot, why leave politicians like Governor Hassan Joho of Mombasa and Amason Kingi of Kilifi who have been steadfast in ODM?” the MP asked.

But Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma asked the MPs to respect Mr Odinga.

He accused some of the MPs seeking the party’s national posts of not having uttered even one word in Parliament since they were elected.

“Some of the Nyanza leaders must respect the views of Mr Odinga as our leader. He knows the capability of each of us.”

Mr Kaluma told his colleagues to stop exhibiting tribalistic tendencies in their campaigns.

“Let’s us display utmost maturity and respect in our conduct, not all of us can be national officials,” he said.

In Nakuru, party youths including the county leader, Mr Hilton Abiola, criticised the Nyanza politicians whom they accused of turning ODM into a regional party.

“Who said that the position of secretary-general is a preserve of Nyanza?” asked Mr Abiola.

He said that the youth supported Mr Odinga’s choice of nominated Senator Zani for the position of secretary-general.

“ODM is not a regional party but a national party,” said Mr Abiola.

MISLEADING PARTY SUPPORTERS

Mr Abiola said the MPs should stop misleading party supporters. He claimed that the position had been held by leaders from the region but they had failed to revitalise the party.

“We want a new sweeping broom in ODM and we see no better person than Agnes Zani and that is why we fully support our party leader on this issue,” he said.

The youth leader urged Mr Odinga  to give the party’s executive director, Mr Magerer Lang’at, a free hand to conduct the affairs of the party.

He also welcomed Senator James Orengo’s decision to step down saying the decision would give the party the opportunity to inject new blood in its leadership.

Mr Orengo had expressed interest in the secretary-general’s position. Still in the race are MPs Ababu Namwamba and Ken Obura and John Mbadi, whose name was recently struck off the list of party delegates. Also in the race is another nominated senator, Ms Elizabeth Ongoro.

ODM’s national elections will be held on February 28 and March 1 in Nairobi. Among the positions  to be filled are: Party leader, deputy party leader, chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary-general, deputy secretary general, treasurer, deputy treasurer, organising secretary and deputy organising secretary.

Reports by Farouk Mwabege, Francis Mureithi, Maurice Kaluoch and Elisha Otieno