Leaders hit out at MP over bid to rival Raila Odinga

By DENNIS ONYANGO

Kenya: Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno’s bid to spearhead formation of a new political outfit  to rival former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s  Orange Democratic Movement in Nyanza has sparked a fresh storm in the region.

Various leaders from the region have come out to condemn the move and hit out at Otieno who has recently been working closely with the Jubilee Government.

Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Otieno as his special envoy to deal with the South Sudan conflict.

Otieno who was a strong supporter of Raila  during the grand coalition government seems to have parted ways with him in the run up to the botched ODM national elections that were held at the Moi Sports Centre in Kasarani last month.

Otieno is on record as having hit out at Raila and  accused him of having prevailed upon him not to run for a national seat in the ODM polls.

Revolt in party

On Monday, ODM MPs led by Minority Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), MPs Ken Obura(Kisumu Central), George Oner(Rangwe) and Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul) said the move was a threat to the unity of the Luo community.

At the same time, the legislators lashed out at a clique of politicians surrounding former Prime Minister saying they have not only led to revolt in the party but also denied him a chance to be President.

Speaking at a fundraiser in aid of Kadie Secondary School in Homa Bay County, the MPs vowed to fight any plot to split the region.

Midiwo said division in the community will hinder Raila who is the ODM leader from becoming the country’s Head of State in 2017.

The former PM has already given signals that he will be in the presidential ballot in the next General Elections. “Unity of the community is paramount. Any party seeking to split us is unacceptable,” he warned.

He said the community had enjoyed harmony for a long time, making it  politically vibrant in the country. Referring to the discontent caused by the party national elections that had pitted Dalmas against Raila, Midiwo said the party must now seek better ways of managing its polls. “As a party, we must now be ready and avoid splitting every time we hold elections,” he added.

The declaration by Otieno came after months of speculation about his loyalty to the party.  Last week, Otieno said the plan to form the new outfit is in the pipeline.

Midiwo  also blamed Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ for not issuing identity cards (IDs) to locals when he was Immigration Minister in the coalition government, a move he claimed to have contributed to Raila’s loss. “He denied Raila victory in 2013 because he did not give out the IDs,” Midiwo said.

Obura said the community must work together to remain politically relevant in future elections. “As a party we can find solutions to any problem that divides us so that we move forward as one family,” he said.

On the other hand, he said the development agenda of the region can be achieved only if the area remains united.

The MPs also slammed a group of politicians around Raila who they claimed purport to be his close allies yet they do little to ensure he wins during elections.

Osele said some of those who claim to be Raila’s “brigade” are quick to brand their colleagues as Jubilee moles, something that threatens the unity of the party.

On Thursday, Luo council of elders, Ker Riaga Ogalo accused Kajwang’ of misleading Raila at the area governors’ forum which both of them attended.

Riaga questioned Kajwang’ on where he was taking the community, adding that it was time for the community to unite with all other tribes. “You are misleading Luos Kajwang’. We need unity and chasing away other communities will not help,” Riaga said.

Party’s future

Speaking to The Standard, Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka asked Otieno to remain in ODM, saying his new party will not have any significance. “He is entitled to form a political party, but it will not have any future in the country’s political landscape,” he said. Onyonka said forming splinter parties within ODM will weaken the opposition outfit because it has few members than the ruling Jubilee Coalition.

“We can address discontent from within, he should not run away because of disagreements,” he added.

Gwasii MP John Mbadi said Otieno should resign from being MP before he participates in the formation of the new party. “It is his democratic right, but according to the Political Parties Act, he should not support or participate in forming another party when he is still in the one that took him to Parliament,” he said.

Dictatorship

Mbadi said any party aiming to split the region into South and Central Nyanza to divide the support base of Raila will not succeed.

Last week, Otieno said he would spearhead the formation of the  new party to rival the Orange party in Nyanza. He recently accused Raila of dictatorial tendencies and cited events in the build up to the party’s national elections.

The MP said he stands a chance of being elected President just like Raila.

Addressing his constituents at the new Chamgigwadu divisional headquarters in Rongo, Migori County, Otieno said it was not correct for the Raila family to brand him a Jubilee mole even after fighting hard to ensure thatthe former Prime Minister won in the last General Elections.

The legislator claimed he played a crucial role in the formation of CORD and bringing on board former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

He further said he was part of the group that ensured the deal was signed at the home of Machakos Senator David Musila in Nairobi’s Karen.