Defection fears in ODM rally averted

By David Ochami

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s loyal entourage remained intact at yesterday’s rally in Tononoka Grounds of Mombasa.

Earlier in the morning there had been fears that some of his party’s key leaders would turn up at the TNA/URP function in Nakuru to announce defection from the ODM.

Word had gone round on Saturday when reports emerged that key Wiper leaders expected at yesterday’s rally would not show up following party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s denunciation of ODM.

There was also anticipation that Mvita MP Najib Balala was to make a comeback to ODM but this did not happen. There was also fear that supporters of ODM Senate aspirants for Mombasa County Hassan Omar Hassan and Ramadhan Kajembe would clash but this also did not happen following midmorning meetings involving the PM and all aspirants from the county.

Power conspiracy

Raila described his opponents as “snakes” and his ODM as an “army of safari ants” adding that it was only these little animals that can smoke out and slay a serpent.

He was accompanied by several ministers including Henry Kosgey Paul Otuoma, Fred Gumo, Wycliffe Oparanya, Amason Kingi, James Orengo, Musa Sirma, Franklin Bett and Anyang Nyong’o.

Also in tow were assistant ministers Manson Nyamweya, Ramadhan Kajembe and Magerer Langat, Hassan Ali Joho and deputy Speaker Farah Maalim.

Muslim leader Sheikh Juma Ngao alleged that the union between URP and TNA was a conspiracy to keep power in Rift Valley and Central provinces. Before the end of the rally, the PM opened an ODM party office at Buxton in Mombasa.