By ISAAC ONGIRI
What happens next after ODM deputy party leader Musalia Mudavadi fails to dislodge the man at the helm, Prime Minister Raila Odinga?
This is the question troubling allies of the party leader, who have been preparing the ground and are confident of victory should the contest come to a vote.
An informal ârapid responseâ team expected to prevail on Mudavadi to back down before then has not had any success. The PM and his inner circle are now contemplating the possibility of life without the Sabatia MP in ODM, even as Raila calls for an end to talk about the ongoing leadership contest.
Despite Musaliaâs pledge he will remain in the party if he loses, he has also threatened unspecified "consequences" if the nomination 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 told a rally in Kakamega recently.
Suspicious of the way things are going, the PM is weighing his options should the leadership battle end with a political falling out between the two. Sources say the Mudavadi group raised suspicion when they rejected a proposal to have the DPM hold joint rallies with the PM to reassure party supporters.
On Saturday, Raila, 67, attended the burial in Bungoma of nine pupils crushed by a lorry last week.
Addressing mourners, the PM played down reports of a rift with Musalia, 51, even as he spoke of warm relations with Ford-Kenya, a party that could provide a Mudavadi replacement.
Presidential nomination
"Those who do not belong in ODM are the ones making the loudest noise about our presidential nomination," the PM said. "Tell them to relax and mind their own political parties. We know where we are going with Musalia."
Speaking in Nakuru on Friday, Musalia said he was not at war with his party leader. He said his only desire was to offer leadership devoid of acrimony, hatred and suspicion.
