Raila moves to quell infighting in ODM

As Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga moved to stem the rebellion his party faces in western Kenya, six of his MPs from the coast announced their departure from it.

They said they will not seek re-election on any party affiliatted with Cord in the General Election.

On Monday, Mr Odinga extended an olive branch to Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and other western Kenya ODM rebels.

He promised to hold a meeting on Wednesday to solve issues raised last week by a section of lawmakers from the former western province.

In Mombasa the ODM rebel MPs and their colleagues in Cord-affiliated parties indicated they would join Jubilee, sending the message that they want to be in Government in 2017.

According to them, the writing was on the wall and there was no likelihood that the Opposition would win the 2017 General Elections.

“We in the group have discussed and agreed that we will not seek re-election on opposition party tickets. We will go with the party that our people will show us which is definitely not a Cord affiliate,” said Kwale County Woman Rep Zainab Chidzuga.

The rebel opposition legislators are members of the splinter team of the Coast Parliamentary Group, which is chaired by Kilifi North MP Gedion Mung’aro who announced at the weekend that he had ditched ODM.

The MP is eying the Kilifi governor’s seat. Ms Chidzuga and Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani (Ford-Kenya) said on Monday said that none of the 11 MPs in the splinter group would defend their seats with parties not allied to Jubilee.

The declaration is manifestation of a simmering rebellion rocking the Cord fraternity coming just two days after ODM leader Raila Odinga toured the region with his allies urging him to expel the rebels from ODM.

Speaking during the burial of ODM-nominated MCA in Rabai Grace Chihanga on Saturday, ODM leaders including Siaya Senator James Orengo, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Woman Rep Aisha Jumwa and Senator Stewart Madzayo urged the party leader to stamp his authority and expel the rebel MPs accusing them of rocking the party from within.

Ms Chidzuga is the deputy chairperson of the splinter group while Mr Mwashetani is the spokesman.

“We have realised that there is nothing to benefit from supporting the opposition,” said Mr Mwashetani yesterday.

ODM WRANGLES
Although he was not categorical on which party ticket they will seek to be elected on, Mr Mwashetani said that the coast “must be in the next government”.

He said that the Coast region was quickly drifting towards the government from ODM “because residents have realised that President Uhuru Kenyatta means well for the people”.

Mr Mung’aro announced in Kaloleni Giriama on Saturday that he had officially divorced ODM and pledged to rally his group and the coastal voters to the government.

Members of the Mung’aro group are Khatib Mwashetani (Ford-Kenya), Ms Zainabu Chidzuga (ODM), Mr Mustafa Idd (Kilifi South, ODM), Masoud Mwahima (ODM, Likoni), Peter Shehe (Ganze, FPK, Cord affiliate), Harry Kombe (Magarini, URP), Gonzi Rai (Kinango, TNA), Dr Naomi Shaban (Taveta, TNA), Shariff Athuman (Lamu West, Amani) and Ms Fatuma Ware (Tana River Woman Rep, Wiper, Cord affiliate).

During the Malindi March 7 by-election, the group campaigned for Jubilee candidate Philip Charo who lost to ODM’s William Mtengo by 15,582 to 9,243 votes.

Meanwhile, a group of Mombasa MCAs perceived to be rebels at the weekend sought audience with Mr Odinga in Malindi seeking his intervention over persistent wrangles in the assembly.

Mr Jabess Oduor of Kongowea Ward confirmed they asked Cord leader Mr Odinga to intervene.

The latest in the wrangling has seen Abdalla Kasagamba replaced as Majority Leader by his Likoni counterpart Hamisi Mwindani, a former Mombasa Mayor.

Mr Jabess said they briefed Mr Odinga on the wrangles, in a chronological order to help him understand the issues better.

It is understood the MCAs complained against ODM Mombasa branch Secretary Geoffrey Busaka and Chairman Mohamed Hatimy for the wrangles that have threatened the party’s unity in the county.

Mr Jabess accused Mr Hatimy of plotting the removal of Mr Kasagamba after his (Hatimy’s) removal as Finance Committee chairmanship over alleged abuse of office.

Mr Kitsao said they “reported’’ Mombasa Governor Joho, the party’s deputy leader, for using Mr Hatimy to interfere with the internal affairs of the county assembly.