Dissent in ODM as party announces countrywide grassroots elections

Mwenyekiti wa ODM John Mbadi, katibu wa masuala ya kisiasa wa ODM Opiyo Wandayi (kati) na Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Uchaguzi wa ODM Judith Pareno wakijadiliana awali. Picha | EVANS HABIL

By  ISAAC ONGIRI

What you need to know:

  • Suna East MP Junet Mohammed however said that the matter should be looked into carefully warning that ODM needs everyone and balkanizing individuals just because they sought temporary political refuge in other parties was not right.
  • On Sunday the party’s Secretary General Ababu Namwamba also warned those pushing to have defectors locked out arguing that the idea will only squeeze the size of the orange party.
  • ODM leader Raila Odinga is said to have received petitions from affected “former defectors” pleading with him to defend them on the matter.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Monday announced a new date for its grass root elections in seven counties around the county.

But the chairperson of the party’s National Elections Board (NEB) Judith Pareno maintained that only genuine party members will be allowed to participate in the exercise expected to generate heat in the party’s strongholds in Nyanza, Western, Nairobi and the Coast regions.

She said that the last communications received from the party’s National Executive Council barred defectors who jumped over to other parties and have not completed one year since they returned, from seeking positions in the elections.

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“As we speak NEB has a communication from NEC instructing us not to allow defectors who came back less than a year ago to participate. If they review that decision we will follow what they tell us but as for now defectors are welcomed back but it is in the party’s interest that they don’t run for office,” she said.

ELECTIONS DATES

She announced that the elections will now kick off on August 29, 2015 to September 4,2015 in Migori, Vihiga, Marsabit, Wajir, Kilifi and Kajiado counties.

“In Nairobi County, the exercise will be held from the 5th to the 9th of September 2015,”the NEB boss announced.

She also announced that though the party had closed the application period last month-the NEB decided to reopen it due to high demand by members from the seven counties involved.

“Although the National Elections Board (NEB) had closed the chapter of application for the various positions in the grassroots elections, the Board has considered the huge interest by members to run for seats and decided to re-open the application from tomorrow (August 4) to August 18, 2015,”Ms Pareno announced.

Some ODM leaders especially elected MPs have raised concerns over the push to allow defectors back to the party fold.

DISSENT

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed however said that the matter should be looked into carefully warning that ODM needs everyone and balkanizing individuals just because they sought temporary political refuge in other parties was not right.

“Let is allow as many people as possible to come join ODM so that we can have so many people ready to vote for our Presidential candidate in the next elections,” Mr Mohammed said.

On Sunday the party’s Secretary General Ababu Namwamba also warned those pushing to have defectors locked out arguing that the idea will only squeeze the size of the orange party.

ODM leader Raila Odinga is said to have received petitions from affected “former defectors” pleading with him to defend them on the matter.

On Monday Mr Odinga was still in Tanzania and could not be reached for comment. He is expected in Nairobi later on Tuesday.

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