Orange Democratic Movement in two-day retreat to strategise for 2017 polls

ODM delegates during the party's retreat at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos yesterday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Nairobi, Kenya - The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders are meeting to review management of party affairs by new officials appointed last December.

 

The party is also said to be strategising for the next General Election.

During the retreat at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos yesterday, Party Leader Raila Odinga led members of the National Executive Council, National Elections Board and the secretariat at the meeting to review the party’s performance as it seeks to strengthen itself. Top on the agenda was an examination of roles and responsibilities of different party organs in the execution of their mandate and revamping of the secretariat.

ODM Chairman John Mbadi said there is a general feeling that most officials do not understand their roles and responsibilities.

“We are already half-way towards the next General Election and we must prepare to take over the next Government. This retreat is meant to come up with a road-map for the next polls,” said Mbadi.

Socio-economics commentator David Ndii and Political analysts George Kegoro and Adams Oloo are also expected to address the delegates. Mbadi, who is also the Suba MP, dismissed reports that the retreat was meant to pick replacements to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that was dissolved last week.

“The issue of PAC is a parliamentary group affair and has nothing to do with the retreat. Picking of the members involves other parties and not just ODM. But am aware that the process is ongoing,” said Mbadi.

meeting delayed

He said the retreat was to take place in January, but was postponed following the death of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’, Fidel Odinga and the Homa Bay and Kajiado Central by-elections. Among the party’s top officials attending the meeting are Secretary General Ababu Namwamba and the NEB Chairperson Judith Pareno.

Others are the former Secretary General and Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyong’o, his counterpart James Orengo (Siaya) and ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen.

A source privy to the retreat said revamping of the Secretariat will also be among the issues to be discussed.

“There is a general feeling that majority of Kenyans feel disenchanted with the Jubilee administration and more will start trooping back to ODM. We want to ensure that the house is in order so that we can go out on a charm offensive to get more members,” said the source.

He continued: “In politics, nothing is impossible and we are talking to like-minded individuals who knows the ideology of the party of social democracy.”