ODM faces fallout as rival faction opposes line-up proposed by Raila Odinga

The proposed list of new Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials has sparked fresh factional wars as claims emerged that one group that contested in the botched February party elections got a raw deal.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's close allies who met in Nairobi on Monday reportedly were furious that "Team Fresh" – a faction that included MP Ababu Namwamba and Governor Hassan Joho – scooped the party's powerful positions.

They were joined by other leaders in opposing the list, arguing that the youthful group was favoured in the arrangement more than the rival faction that was allied to nominated Senator Agnes Zani.

Namwamba and Zani fiercely fought for the secretary general's post and eventually the Budalang'i MP prevailed when Zani was named among his deputies.

Mere deputies

"Those from the other camp were reduced to mere deputies while others completely missed out," claimed a disgruntled member who singled out Namwamba, Joho and Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, who secured the secretary general, first deputy party leader and first deputy chairman positions respectively.

He added: "We now insist that we must go back to elections for the delegates to decide. The hand-picking would only make sense if both sides were fairly considered."

Siaya Senator James Orengo, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed met on Monday in Nairobi and vowed to step up efforts to oppose the list.

Although Orengo yesterday declined to divulge details of the meeting to The Standard, former Raila's campaign manager in the 2013 polls Eliud Owalo, who was also at the meeting, said they gathered because they were angered by the "hand-picking of the party officials".

"We met because we are not happy with what transpired at the Gilgil retreat. People cannot hold private meetings and allocate themselves party positions. None of them was elected through any legal framework. We need a participatory and an all-inclusive approach in electing the party's office bearers rather than boardroom meetings," Mr Owalo said.

Mohammed said: "The party members should be given a chance to elect their own officials through popular means."

The list will be ratified on December 5 by the party's National Delegates Conference and the Governing Council.

Yesterday, another group suggested that the party leadership should be left to members who are not elected representatives.

Proponents of this move claimed elected leaders holding party positions have divided attention and are unlikely to discharge party affairs well.

Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir, who opposed the move by Raila to select a compromise team, said the two teams represents two different ideologies and therefore will only fulfill their divided interests.

"How will Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho balance between being a governor and at the same time be the deputy party leader?" Shabbir posed.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma also claimed elected leaders have a lot of issues to deal with and should not be allowed to hold party positions.

Kaluma said being an MP makes one the patron of the party at the constituency level and therefore elected leaders should not scramble for national party positions.

Rarieda legislator Nicholas Gumbo expressed his displeasure at the nominees for the positions.

"That is up to whoever gave them the position, I did not take part in it," said Gumbo.

However, some leaders lauded Raila for uniting ODM and embarrassing their rivals, Jubilee, who were looking forward to a possible fallout.

Migori Parliamentary Group Chairman Omondi Anyanga explained that the party should be led by politicians who understand the issues of politics.

Mr Anyanga differed with his colleagues supporting technocrats as party officials, saying such persons will only serve their interest and not the party.

"Politicians understand the issues... There will be vested interests whether politicians or not but I assure you there will be more vested interest if non-politicians are chosen as party officials," said Anyanga.

Migori Woman Representative Denita Ghati said the new team was strong, lauding the creation of several deputies' posts.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi said ODM had emerged even stronger since interests of all factions were taken care of.

Meanwhile, ODM leaders from Western region have vowed to support the proposed list of the party officials during the National Governing Council (NGC) meeting slated for 5th next month.

Addressing the Press yesterday in Kakamega, the party county chairmen Eric Wambasi (Bungoma),, Josephat Alusa (Vihiga), David Malala (Kakamega), Ronald Sawenja (Trans Nzoia) and Patrick Obwogoya (Busia) said delegates from the region were satisfied with the seat of Secretary General.

In a statement to the newsrooms, they also thanked the executive committee for rewarding the loyalty of the region to the party.