Raila seeks unity ahead of elections

ODM Secretary General Anyang' Nyong'o with party MPs during a press conference at Orange House in Nairobi on August 28, 2014. ODM leader Raila Odinga has backed efforts to reconcile factions in the party led by Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and Nominated Senator Agnes Zani before calling for party elections. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL |

What you need to know:

  • Acting secretary-general Anyang’ Nyong’o confirmed Thursday that the party’s leadership was holding talks with both camps to ensure harmony before it calls for repeat elections.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has backed efforts to reconcile factions in the party led by Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and Nominated Senator Agnes Zani before calling for party elections.

Acting secretary-general Anyang’ Nyong’o confirmed Thursday that the party’s leadership was holding talks with both camps to ensure harmony before it calls for repeat elections.

“Yes, elections will be called at an appropriate time. The party leadership is reaching out to all sides to ensure that we go to the elections united.

“We do not want to go to the elections polarized like last time,” Prof Nyong’o said through the party’s Director of Communications Philip Etale.

COMPROMISE LINE-UP

He maintained that the caretaker committee, formed after the aborted elections in February this year, was still in place and would continue holding office until fresh elections are held.

The Nation learnt that a compromise line-up agreed upon by both factions two weeks ago was scuttled by powerful forces in the party.

The line-up was part of the proposals contained in a report the caretaker committee handed over to Mr Odinga last month.