Battle picks up in Orange party

By EVELYN KWAMBOKA

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is faced with a fierce political battle after a section of Siaya leaders felt rubbed the wrong way by the party’s choice for the forthcoming by-election.

This comes amid struggle by the Orange party to retain the Siaya gubernatorial seat and declaring it would back Cornel Rasanga.

The decision to have Rasanga vie for the seat has, however, not gone down well with some leaders, a development that is now left for the party top brass to try and woo them to their side.

Main rival

Rasanga’s main rival William Oduol who is vying on a National Agenda Party of Kenya party fell out with the ODM, accusing some influential leaders within the party of shortchanging him during the nominations.

With the nomination of Rasanga for the seat again, the process seems to have gone full circle and the fierce fight that was witnessed during the March 4, 2013, election campaigns between supporters of the two is likely to be rekindled.

The politicians who were opposed to Rasanga vying on an ODM ticket have maintained not to support him during the campaign period set to start on September 18 to October 15.

It is on this understanding the party fastening its political belt in a bid not to give their opponents a chance to beat them in the race, which is to be hotly contested between the CORD and Jubilee coalitions. On Friday, ODM’s Siaya County Chairman Onyango Okinda said there are plans to have a leaders’ harmonisation meeting next week.

Those aggrieved

“We plan to have a meeting with those aggrieved by the party’s decision so as to come up with a consensus for us to work as a team. I am sure they are issues that can be solved once and for all on a roundtable,” he said.

A decision made by the party on its choice for Rasanga’s running mate might also see some of them soften their hearts. The leaders are divided on whether to give the position to former Permanent Secretary Carey Orege or let Ouma Onyango who served under Rasanga for four months retain it.

A section of MPs who were opposed to giving Rasanga a direct ticket had proposed having the matter resolved through consensus.

During a recent event that was attended by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Rarieda, more than 10 politicians were divided on whether to give Rasanga a direct ticket or go for another candidate.

The issue was sparked off by the current acting governor George Okode who said there was need to give Rasanga the ticket since the High Court did not disqualify him from defending the seat. This was supported by Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, who said it was not right to abandon “your brother” at his time of need.