By Stephen Makabila
The quest for Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential running mate in ODM has taken a new turn after party chairman Henry Kosgey proposed the position be contested during the National Delegates Conference.
Kosgey told The Standard that while it is upon the PM to choose a running mate the feeling in the party is that the position be contested to promote internal democracy.
“It’s the feeling of most of our members that the running mate position should be elective,” said Kosgey.
ODM is supposed to hold its National Governing Council (NGC) on July 27, which will set the stage for the NDC scheduled for September or October to elect party presidential candidate and running mate.
While the PM stands to be the automatic ODM presidential candidate, the question of who becomes his running mate has in recent months been a major issue in the party.
The party has through the media, invited aspirants interested in running for various elective positions on its ticket to come up.
Party interests
“In preparation for the General Election, ODM hereby invites all members of the party interested in vying for elective positions available under parliament and County Assembly elections to submit their written expression of interest to the National Elections Board,” read a recent party statement signed by NEB Secretary Joseph Misoi.
Positions listed by ODM include member of senate, member of National Assembly, county women representative, governors, and members of county assemblies.
The presidential and running mate positions were not listed. Earlier reports had indicated the presidential candidate and running mate would be known at the NGC, but Kosgey clarified it would be at the NDC.
