Rivals using ODM elections as litmus test for 2017 showdown

Top rivals in ODM are using the ongoing party grassroots polls as a midterm litmus test on their strength ahead of the 2017 General Election.

This follows rumours that the party is changing its constitution to allow a collegiate nomination of all the five elective posts on the ground.

But party Chairman John Mbadi told the Sunday Nation that ODM members would still pick party nominees to various positions by voting directly for them, dismissing claims that the party constitution had been changed to lock out party members from the polls.

“That was misinformation. Our members will still elect their representatives at the party nominations. What we are working on is how best to have an improved situation where the elections do not abort because of sponsored violence by some candidates,” Mr Mbadi said.

He said the delegates being elected at polling centres would have roles to play, but would lack an express mandate to pick nominees to various positions.

“We are fine-tuning our constitution and party rules. We hope to conduct our primaries not later than six months to the elections,” he said.
UNDER RETRIBUTION
He added that the party primaries conducted in 27 counties so far have been successful, adding that only a few areas experienced violence.

“We want to deal firmly with the Matayos and Kisumu incidents to ensure those responsible for the ugly scenes are punished,” he said.

The party’s executive director, Mr Oduor Ong’wen, said investigations had been launched. “Architects of violence will be barred from future elections. They will not hold party positions for the next five years.”

Mr Ong’wen scoffed at a proposal to have the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission preside over party elections. “Let the commission put its house in order first. It has serious credibility issues,” he said.

Arguing that political parties lack the capacity to conduct free and fair elections, some MPs and civil society have suggested that IEBC could help bring discipline to party polls.

According to Mr Ong’wen, it would be unfair to have isolated cases of violence overshadow the success they have so far achieved.

“Let us give credit where it is due. The cases of violence cannot reach 10, yet we have done elections in 16,000 polling stations in 27 counties,” he said.

SUCCESSFUL POLLS
A few party strongholds have experienced chaotic and disruptive polls, with ODM being accused of harbouring dangerous machinations against internal competition.

The final round of the grassroots elections is expected in 21 constituencies at the end of this month. Fierce campaigns are already under way.

The party’s national elections board (NEB) has slated October 30 and November 1 to 3 as the dates the polls will be conducted.

“We are trying our best to ensure we get everything right. You can’t miss a few issues here and there ... but so far, so good,” said Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who is also the party’s director of elections.

He said the polls have been successful in many ways, urging members to treat incidents of violence as isolated.

“The party will not condone individuals who still believe in violence as a political strategy. We will not allow a few elements to spoil the good name of the party even as we anchor a new culture of peaceful competition in our politics,” Mr Mohammed said.

DEAL WITH PERPETRATORS
Several cases and appeals still lie unresolved at the party headquarters.

Kisumu, Busia, Migori and Nairobi have witnessed the worst incidents, with two men killed in Rongo last month after rival groups differed.

But ODM insists the deaths had nothing to do with the polls.

Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyong’o, whose county suffered bouts of violence, wants ODM’s national elections board to deal decisively with the perpetrators.

“I would like to congratulate the people of Kisumu County for electing their leaders up to the sub-county level. All irregularities will be corrected. The chaos that happened at the county level elections must be condemned. Those behind the chaos will be dealt with,” he said.