New man to take over Owalo’s job

Cord leader Raila Odinga yesterday said that he has identified a person to replace his former presidential campaign manager and head of secretariat Eliud Owalo.

“I have since settled on the person replacing Mr Owalo at the Cord coordinating secretariat, which will be communicated to the coalition partners in due course,” Mr Odinga said.

The former Prime Minister said that Mr Owalo has no role either in the ODM secretariat or Cord secretariat on behalf of him.

In a press statement to newsrooms, Mr Odinga clarified that he received and accepted information of Mr Owalo withdrawing his services to the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy.

“He is however welcome to remain an active member of ODM and the Cord coalition,” said Mr Odinga.

UNWARRANTED ATTACKS

Mr Owalo resigned last week citing differences with Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo.

He later told Sunday Nation that he was back after he held talks with Mr Odinga and agreed to “resume services” which he had withdrawn but which he said was voluntary.

He had resigned last week. Mr Owalo said that he had faced persistent and unwarranted attack from Mr Midiwo.

“I have in the recent past faced persistent but unwarranted attacks from your cousin Jakoyo Midiwo, informed primarily by what I believe is his desire for unlimited and unfettered political space around you,” said Mr Owalo in a letter to Mr Odinga dated March 4.

He resolved: “Consequently, after a lot of soul-searching and with the specific intention of creating room for Jakoyo and his ilk, I have decided to withdraw my services to Cord and its leadership with immediate effect.”

He copied his resignation letter to Cord Co-chairman David Musila, who is also the Kitui senator, and Cord co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula.

Mr Owalo style of leadership has not gone down well within some politicians in CORD and who have blamed him for failing to manage party agents during the last year’s general election.