Raila: ODM a large water vessel that will never sink

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his wife Ida and other guests during the 20th memorial of his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, in Bondo, yesterday. [PHOTOS: TITUS MUNAL/STANDARD]

By ISAIAH GWENGI and RUSHDIE OUDIA

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is the only party that conducts democratic elections.

He said the party will be more united and stronger after the coming elections because it will have a national outlook with leaders from every corner of the country.

“It is a large water vessel that will never sink,” said Raila.

He dismissed claims there is disunity among party members over the coming elections.

He was speaking at the 20th anniversary of Kenya’s first Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga at his Kan’go home in Siaya County where the forthcoming ODM polls dominated the speeches.

“There is no disunity among party members. Because we will complete the elections and emerge stronger and united than before,” asserted Raila.

Homabay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ said they had struggled to ensure ODM is where it is today and they will ensure it grows to greater strength.

He traced the party’s route from Ford Kenya and NDP, saying it is now a national party compared to where it came from.

He told those opposed to the party getting a national outlook to form their own if they were unhappy.

He told Raila that those not satisfied were like the Israelites who were complaining to Moses in the wilderness. On ODM’s popularity, he said the ruling coalition parties The National Alliance and United Republican Party were tribal outfits with members from two regions.

Kajwang’ told the crowd that ODM is one of the four strongest parties in Africa after South Africa’s ANC and Zimbabwe’s Zanu PF.

He said ODM was still strong despite the defection of Deputy President William Ruto and former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to other parties.

Declared interest

Dr Agnes Zani, who was close to Raila throughout the ceremony, said she is capable of serving members as secretary general and is the only woman from Coast region who has declared interest to vie for a seat in a national political party.

A section of ‘Young Turks’ who mainly absconded the event were accused of being used by ODM’s rivals to divide the party ahead of its national polls set to take place in Nairobi.

ODM’s opponents are alleged to be using former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s calls that the party should have a national outlook to divide old guards and the youth in Luo Nyanza.

Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ said there were too many brokers and merchants in the election business and warned members, and more especially delegates, to be very careful.

“I am not vying for any position in the party but I am calling upon those who are vying that there is no need to talk a lot in the name of campaigns since we as delegates know your potential,” he said.

He said the youthful leaders vying for leadership should run on their own if they have the capability.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandai called on leaders to stand for the truth that the late Jaramogi stood for.

“We want to make ODM a party that will capture leadership of this country come the next election,” said Wandai, adding they are not going to give room for any retrogressive forces trying to use the party polls to divide the Luo community.

According to Uriri MP John Kobado who spoke after Wandai, there is need to have visionary and focused leaders who will unite the people as well as a party reflecting the face of Kenya.

Migori Woman Representative Denitta Ghati dismissed a report by the latest opinion poll that ODM is losing popularity in Kenya.

“It is not true that ODM is losing its popularity and we are also calling upon the majority leader in the National Assembly to respect our party leader,” she said.

Nairobi ODM Chairman George Aladwa called on the party’s MPs and senators to stand up and defend party leader Raila Odinga.

“Raila Odinga is our party leader and we should listen and defend him by all means. The forthcoming election is a national exercise and not a regional one as some people put it,” he said.