ODM picks new leaders pending NGC approval

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga addresses delegates at the Oyugis meeting on November 14, 2014. ODM picked new officials on November 22, 2014, who are expected to be endorsed by the National Governing Council. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO |

What you need to know:

  • In the meeting held in Elementaita and chaired by party leader Raila Odinga, party officials also resolved to reshuffle the ODM Election Board following claims that the current board is biased.
  • The party’s elections board, chaired by Judith Pareno, also faced serious criticism from a section of party officials who accused it of bias during the aborted February 28 elections.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Saturday picked new officials who are expected to be endorsed by the National Governing Council.

In a move that may be seen as an attempt to appease the two factions that battled it out in the botched February 28 elections, Mr Raila Odinga has been named as party leader while Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya are his two deputies.

Mr Ababu Namwamba has been named the secretary general with Senators Elizabeth Ongoro and Agnes Zani as the deputies.

A two-day meeting bringing together members of the National Executive Committee (Nec) and the Transition Independent Executive Council (TIEC) resolved to change the composition of the National Delegates Council (NDC) to reflect the party’s support in various counties.

In the meeting held in Elementaita and chaired by party leader Raila Odinga, party officials also resolved to reshuffle the ODM Election Board following claims that the current board is biased.

Addressing the press after the meeting, the former Prime Minister said the executive made the proposals to strengthen ODM. “

RULES AMENDED

We have agreed to amend the party’s election nomination rules and reconstitute the ODM Election Board in preparation for 2017,” he said.

Members who did not wish to be named said that the NEC and TIEC members had supported the move to reconstitute the NDC.

“We have said time and again that the reason why Jubilee moles are infiltrating the party is because the NDC is mainly made up of people from regions where the party has no support.

Can you imagine that as we speak, the highest number of delegates come from Central Province where Raila got zero votes in the last General Election.

What stops such delegates from using their numerical strength to elect unpopular candidates?” asked a NEC member.

The party’s elections board, chaired by Judith Pareno, also faced serious criticism from a section of party officials who accused it of bias during the aborted February 28 elections.

“We cannot go to the next party elections with these people, they are too biased and want a particular camp to win,” said an official.