The new Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership has embarked on a campaign to bring on board the party's alleged rebels amidst growing discontent.
The top party brass, consisting of Ababu Namwamba (Secretary General), John Mbadi (Chairman) and Junnet Mohammed (Director of elections) on Monday visisted Ugenya constituency in Siaya County to meet some of the so called rebels.
The area is represented in the National Assembly by David Ochieng, who is one of the youthful MPs dubbed Young Turks, said to be agitating for a generational change of leadership in the party.
Also in attendance was Kabondo Kasipul MP Sylvance Osele, also said to be in the rebel camp.
It was at the ground breaking ceremony of Kenya Medical Training College at Urenga village that the party leaders made an unexpected visit and extended an olive branch to the perceived 'Jubilee moles'.
The new party officials did not hide their intention, but declared that they were on a drive to reconcile the rival factions in the Orange party in readiness for the 2017 General Election.
It appeared as if this was a continuation of what the opposition leader Raila Odinga recently started to stem dissent in his backyard when he called Nyanza leaders at Sikri, Homa Bay County to unify his Orange party.
Mr Namwamba said under the new leadership, they would not allow branding of other members, something he said was causing disunity in the party.
"Our vision is to gather everybody and scatter none. We want all our elected leaders to be at Orange House so that together we can build a strong team," said the Budalangi legislator.
Holding the hands of the perceived rebels, Namwamba said: "We need the resources of everybody in the party. These leaders are strong members of the party, and those calling them moles were misleading."
Mr Mbadi, who is also the Suba MP said it wouldn't be business as usual in the party.
PARTY RE-BRANDING
"The ODM we have today will not be like the one we had yesterday. The new leadership is a blend of both the youth and experienced leaders, who are capable of preparing the party for the 2017 political contest," he said.
Mr Junet explained that they had agreed on the modalities to reconcile the party members.
"ODM is borne again. We are re-branding and ready to bring new changes into the party."
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Mr Osele said the allegation that some of them are rebels is misplaced, and pledged his loyalty to the party leader Raila Odinga.
"We are committed members of the party and are in full support of the party to form the next government," Osele said.
The leaders also condemned the Monday incident in which goons disrupted the party nominations for the Homa Bay Senatorial seat that fell vacant following the death of Senator Otieno Kajwang'.
"It was an insult to the party leadership and we have ordered for probe into the matter. We will take action against the culprits," Namwamba stated.
Yesterday, the aspirants met the party national elections board to resolve the stalemate and strike a deal on how to come up with the party candidate.
The ODM leaders also poked holes on the controversial security amendment bill, terming it draconian.
"If passed into law, it will take the country back to dark days of dictatorship by infringing the basic rights of citizens," said Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.
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