Why Nyong’o’s job is causing unease

The battle for the powerful post of secretary-general is fast shaping up as a contest between the rest of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members against politicians from the party’s Luo Nyanza stronghold which has held the post since its formation seven years ago.

It appears that the growing rhetoric in the party against electing a Luo Nyanza candidate might work against candidates from the region.

The contest has already provided another stage for a replay of the rivalry between Siaya Senator James Orengo and Nominated MP Oburu Odinga.

Mr Orengo has declared his interest to run for secretary general while Dr Oginga, who is former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s brother, has thrown his weight behind Nominated MP Agnes Zani for the position.

The two wanted to vie for the Siaya senate seat before Dr Oginga was prevailed upon to pull out.

Others who are interested in the post include MPs John Mbadi (Suba), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central) and Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i) and Senator Elizabeth Ongoro.

KEY CONTESTANTS

ODM insiders, however, say the real contest may be between Mr Namwamba, Mr Orengo and Dr Zani. 

Dr Zani and Mr Namwamba could benefit from the anti-Luo Nyanza sentiments in the party. Members have reacted angrily to demands by politicians from Luo Nyanza that the post must remain in the region. Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyong’o currently holds the position.

On Monday Luo MPs who fear Mr Odinga may be slipping out of their grip held two separate meetings to strategise on how to arm-twist him to back one of them.

There has been rumours that the party leader is gravitating in favour of Dr Zani, too.

One meeting was convened by Mr Obura at the Laico Regency Hotel and another by Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo at the Nairobi Safari Club.

“My conviction is that this is a position I can vie for and win. I have support from all over the country. So many MPs are with me too and what we don’t want to hear are stories of some boardroom deals,” said Mr Obura.

And on his part Mr Mbadi stated: “I want to help Mr Odinga to straighten this party so that next time he is running for presidency nobody spoils for him by rigging nominations. I want to close the certificate kiosks at Orange House so that those engaging in such businesses can go home.”

STIFF COMPETITION

And in yet another twist on Wednesday, delegates from western region meeting in Kakamega also demanded that the post be reserved for a politician from the area, preferably Mr Namwamba.

The delegates from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia said the region would also be fighting out for the seat of deputy party leader.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has expressed interest in the seat also to be contested by his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho.

The Kwale-born Dr Zani says her motive in gunning for the post of secretary-general is to consolidate gains made by ODM.

“Carrying on with a great tradition and inventing new ways for more appeal to more people are part of the reasons I want to be secretary general of this great movement,” she says.

“I want to help our party give direction to our country. Our people need guidance from tested and tried voices of reason now more than ever.

Kenyans are getting increasingly frustrated as they struggle daily to make ends meet while the cost of living and insecurity soar,” she wrote on Thursday in defence of her candidature.

Mr Obura and Mr Namwamba are running on the platform of generational change.

“You cannot say that you want to rebrand ODM when it is the same old faces that are lobbying for positions within the renewed structure,” Mr Obura told Sunday Nation.

POLITICAL INTRIGUES
The other critical seat will be that of Vice-Chairman being contested by among others Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’. Dr Kidero hails from Asumbi in Homa Bay County.

However, conversations have emerged that Mr Kajwang’s candidature is an attempt to stem Mr Kidero’s increasing political engagement in Luo Nyanza.   

In a press conference on Friday, Karachuonyo politician Jeremia Achila Gogo accused Mr Kajwang’ of being used to frustrate Dr Kidero.

Last Friday, an eagerly awaited Homa Bay County ODM Executive meeting that was expected to bring together MPs and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

Although no reason was forthcoming for the cancellation of the meeting which had earlier been slated for January 2, there were claims that goons had allegedly been hired to cause mayhem at Homa Bay Farmers Training Centre, the venue of the meeting.

Since Suba MP John Mbadi had also declared his interest in the position of secretary general, Homa Bay County is set to be the centres of focus as political intrigues unfold.

Interestingly, Mr Mbadi’s candidature had earlier been rebuffed by Senator Kajwang’ and other leaders from Homa Bay County. 

Prof Olang Sana of Maseno University advises former PM Raila Odinga to remain neutral.

“It will be difficult for Raila but he has to take control of the party to harmonise the various school of thought without interfering with the choice of the delegates,” said Prof Olang, who insists that injecting new blood was the only way of restoring the glory of ODM.

Additional reporting by Justus Wanga and Isaac Ongiri