ODM postpones party elections

ODM Election Board members (from left) Peter Mutulu, Nancy Abisai and Oduor Ong’wen address a press conference where they announced the postponement of the party’s grassroots elections. [PHOTO: DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has asked the party secretariat to make it clear whether members who had defected to other parties were eligible to contest during its grassroots elections.

Raila spoke after meeting members of the Election Board to review the state of preparedness for the elections.

The board later announced the postponement of the polls which were scheduled for July 31 by a month. The party has in the past been accused by members for not conducting credible elections.

Prior to the meeting, party chairman John Mbadi and ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohamed differed on whether members who had defected should be allowed to contest.

“We have witnessed a number of cases where some leaders are elected ODM officials but they end up ditching the party and contest elections on tickets of other political parties. We are not going to allow any form of disrespect because ODM is governed by a constitution which must be adhered to,” Mbadi said.

He said those planning to contest seats in our forthcoming election will be subjected to thorough vetting “to avoid a situation where a leader dances to the tune of ODM during the day, but supports different political party at night.”

But separately, Junet disagreed, saying such decisions are likely to cause division in the party.

“All Migori County citizens are members of ODM by birth including our people who contested on other party tickets in the last elections after the shambolic nominations. They should not be punished for the failures of the party,” said Junet, the Suna East MP.

But even before a party position on defectors is announced, Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro had already been replaced as the party’s organising secretary in the county. His removal was through a letter signed on behalf of the ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen.

Mung’aro termed his replacement as a sign of “dictatorship in the party” but added he was not surprised by the move because he was removed in a similar way as ODM minority chief whip last year.

PARTY CHANGES

According to the list of executive committee members of the county signed by the ODM Secretary General Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba, the county chairman is Amason Kingi who is the Kilifi governor while vice chairman is Kenneth Kamto, who is also the deputy governor.

Malindi MP Dan Kazungu said he was aware about the party changes in Kilifi County but noted that the party secretariat insisted MPs should not hold party positions.

“I am surprised that politicians including the governor and his deputy are still officials of the party,” Kazungu protested.

Among those supporting the protests by Mungaro to be removed from the chief whip position were Kilii South MP Musttafa Idd, Kazungu and Kilifi Woman Representative Asha Karisa.

But ODM Homa Bay County Chairperson Gladys Wanga, who is also the Homa Bay Woman Representative, said the party needed leaders who are consistent to achieve victory in the next General Election.

“We welcome everybody to the party, but I want you to know that a person who is insincere with our party cannot be an obstacle our dreams,” said Ms Wanga.

Nyando MP Fred Outa supported Mbadi, saying that the party should weed out moles.

Some of those who will be affected by the rule if implemented are ODM legislators James Rege of Karachuonyo and his Rangwe counterpart George Oner who supported Philip Okundi of Maendeleo Democratic Party in this year’s Homa Bay senatorial by-election against ODM’s Moses Kajwang’.

However, former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo, Kasipul Politicians Ong’ondo Were and Odoyo Owidi expressed dissatisfaction with Mbadi’s utterances, saying anybody who expresses interests in a seat during the elections should be given an opportunity to vie.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Raila received a delegation of supporters from the Rift Valley who invited him to renew contacts with the region and take interest in matters affecting the people.

The party’s election board also announced that the first batch of election will take place from August 29 to September 2 and will involve six counties – Marsabit, Wajir, Migori, Vihiga, Kajiado and Kilifi.

In Nairobi County, the exercise will be held from September 5th to 8th.

Dates for other batches will be announced soon according to Nancy Abisai, a member of the Board.

The Board said that the postponement was a result of failure for some branches to conduct civic education during the month of Ramadhan, especially in Wajir, Marsabit and Kilifi Counties

—Report by Ally Jamah, Denis Onyango, James Omoro and Joseph Masha