ODM will emerge stronger from elections

By Philip Etale

Kenya: In a week’s time, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) holds its national elections. These are the polls that will see the party get new leadership to prepare it for the next General Election and eventually win power from Jubilee.

Slightly more than 2,800 delegates from across the country will converge in Nairobi on February 28 to take part in the exercise that will open a new chapter for the party – arguably one with the largest following and support across the nation.

Ever since ODM’s National Executive Committee (Nec) set the dates for the National Delegates Convention (NDC), the top decision making organ of the party, aspirants for the various contestable seats in the national office have been crisscrossing the country, meeting delegates and seeking their support during the NDC.

The ODM national election is the talk of town everywhere. Everyone, including those whose cup of tea has never been ODM, are keenly watching the events in the run-up to D-Day. As the most active political party in Kenya, activities preceding the NDC have drawn the attention of the media and public.

Doomsayers have been making irresponsible comments on the upcoming party elections. Some have constantly said that the election will mark the end of ODM ,while others say there will be a big split in the party.

Political parties hold elections worldwide and have emerged stronger irrespective of the result. It is unthinkable for a person belonging to a political party whose officials were hand-picked to the office to say how ‘undemocratic’ ODM is. This is ridiculous and laughable.

Party elections are not do-or-die affairs like the General Election. A party election is like a members’ club where winners take charge and losers continue enjoying their drinks and waiting  for the next contest.

When Ed Miliband ran against his older brother David in the battle for control of the UK’s Labour Party from former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and won, the result did not end their relationship as brothers and members of the party. They are still sons of the same father, Ralf Miliband, and mother, Marion Kozak.

Truth be told, ODM is the only political party in Kenya that has constantly been involved in democratic activities, including elections.

When the party was formed and registered, it held national elections to put into office officials who have steered it to greater heights for the last five years, and now as the party constitution dictates, elections have to be held for new office bearers to be elected. Which other political party has done what ODM has?

I read in a local daily that someone (not a member of ODM) said the results of the party elections were predetermined, and that delegates would only come to Nairobi to rubber-stamp the outcome.

This is a fallacy and such individuals should be ignored with the contempt they deserve. It must be known to all that ODM is a party that believes in democratic principles and values.

The national election will be free, fair and transparent, unlike the 2013 General Election in which the people’s votes counted for nothing.  

ODM is a national party and has every reason to ensure a free and fair atmosphere for all candidates contesting various seats. Tolerance among candidates, especially those vying for the same seats, must be exhibited at all times.

At the end of the day, as Imelda Marcos of the Philippines once said, win or lose, we go shopping together after the election. ODM must remain standing, united and stronger than ever before.

February 28 and March 1 will be two big days for the ODM family. The outcome of the national election will be a game changer in the way people look at the politics of the country.

However, it is important for all the players in the much anticipated exercise to note that leadership cannot be measured in a poll, or even in the result of an election. It can only be truly seen with the benefit of time, from the perspective of 20 years, not 20 days.

Some doomsayers think that by keeping a hawk eye, paying much attention to the party elections and inciting party members and delegates, ODM will collapse and die on February 28, 2014.

I say to them – keep dreaming.  ODM will emerge the strongest party, and that is the reality. 

The writer is the Director of Communications, ODM.