Proposed ODM leaders rejected

A branch official of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has dismissed the 'boardroom' appointment of new party officials at the weekend.

Wajir branch Secretary General Ibrahim Mohamed Omar said the move is an attempt by the party leadership to kill democracy and healthy competition among candidates garnering for national positions.

Speaking to The Standard, Omar, who vied for the position of national treasurer in March this year when ODM elections were halted after the infamous 'Men in Black' hijacked the process, said the direction taken by the party leadership to end internal wrangles is unhealthy and likely to cause more division in the coming days.

REJECT PROPOSALS

"As a senior official, I want to state categorically that the boardroom selection of officials made at the Naivasha retreat, will be the last straw that will break ODM's back. There isn't a single clause in our party constitution which allows party officials to be hand picked at a retreat attended by few invited party members," the official said.

He continued: "We will not accept anything less of a free, fair and transparent party election. Any official given a position in the party through illegal and undemocratic means will not get members dedicated support from North-Eastern region".

Omar has urged ODM's National Delegate Conference to reject the proposed officials saying the move spells death to the democracy the party has been defending for many years. He termed as political con-manship the move by ODM's top brass to hand pick leaders instead of holding elections.