ODM must discard violence tag to be a credible opposition

Police restrain youths who disrupted ODM nominations in Homa Bay on December 15, 2014. PHOTO /TOM OTIENO/ NATION MEDIA GROUP.

What you need to know:

  • It is critical that members of ODM at all times not only behave democratically, they must also be seen to be democratic.

  • The party needs to find time for structured reflection on this emerging ugly trend and how to restore party dignity that is eroded by intolerance.

  • In the period 2005-2008, the party was an insurmountable political machine.

  • This reputation needs to be protected.

The saga of the Homa Bay ODM party primaries this week was a continuation of an emerging trend and profile of the party.

In February this year, the party’s national elections were disrupted by people we only know of as “men in black.”

Nobody really knows who was behind the disruption of the elections. 

Party leader Raila Odinga promised there would be investigations but nothing has been heard since.

However, one thing is clear: This was a dark moment for the party.

But while followers thought this was an isolated bad moment, there would be more than one repeats.

First was the unpleasant ejection of the party’s executive director Magerer Lang’at from a party meeting. And now the “men in white” in Homa Bay.

Conduct of this kind casts the party in poor light. ODM claims to be democratic.

The other major parties are the National Alliance, the United Republican Party and the United Democratic Front.

UGLY TREND

It is critical that members of ODM at all times not only behave democratically, they must also be seen to be democratic.

The party needs to find time for structured reflection on this emerging ugly trend and how to restore party dignity that is eroded by intolerance.

In the period 2005-2008, the party was an insurmountable political machine. This reputation needs to be protected.

This can only be done by party members. How they conduct basic things like party elections and nominations profiles them in the public eye.

They cannot afford to be disruptive. The extremely adversarial politics of the nation has led to poor performance with security being the hardest hit.

The ensuing lawlessness has affected tourism and triggered unemployment, as the country cries for a viable way out of the present challenges.

Amidst the foregoing, ODM has a good opportunity to provide constructive criticism and opposition.

It has a chance to position itself strongly as responsible government in waiting.

This cannot happen, however, if it seems as the party cannot manage its internal democracy. 

ISOLATED AND PUNISHED

The party must revamp its internal electoral instruments and processes for smooth primaries in future.

All party primaries in its strongholds have had problems, right from the 2007 elections.

It is possible this problem persists because those behind these chaos have never been identified, isolated and punished.

Without this, it will be impossible to restore order.

These people must from now on be appropriately punished and Homa Bay provides a proper starting point.

Equally important is for the topmost party leadership to make it clear that it has no favourites in internal political competition.

The feeling that some people may receive preferential treatment has contributed to fear among those who could be losers.

Such people will easily disrupt party functions.

If people are assured of free and fair competition, ugly scenes like Homa Bay, Kasarani and at the Orange House in recent times can be avoided.

The writer is an architect and observer of Nyanza politics. [email protected]