Nomination timetable
Agreement was reached on expanding the number of delegates who will settle the leadership contest between Raila and Mudavadi, with plans to have 58 delegates from each civic ward. While this compromise improves Mudavadiâs position, some in his team are grumbling about the nomination timetable proposed for the exercise.
They say they fear the partyâs internal presidential election will be needlessly delayed until September to limit the Sabatia MPâs options should he be unhappy with the process or the outcome. Mudavadiâs allies are pinning their hopes on an NDC, which will ratify the amendments to hold nominations at county level, as well as open up competition for the party leadership.
There is no agreement on when the NDC should be held, however, with Mudavadi allies seeking a date before June, while some Raila allies root for September, assuming March 14, 2013, remains the Election Day. The issues continue to test the partyâs unity even as its top leaders present a united front.
Despite Mudavadiâs pledge he will remain in the party if he loses to Raila in the nominations, he has also threatened unspecified "consequences" if the contest is not free and fair. "We must avoid reckless handling of the processes or be ready to face the consequences that follow if the processes are mismanaged," he has said.
â Additional reporting by Kepher Otieno
