By Athman Amran

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has promised aspirants for various seats under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) that the party would not form another coalition government.

He made the remarks as his deputy in Government, Musalia Mudavadi launched his campaign secretariat and received the MP for Webuye, Alfred Sambu, who ditched ODM for the United Democratic Forum (UDF).

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, and his party, The National Alliance (TNA) will host aspirants from all over the country tomorrow at the Kasarani sports stadium in Nairobi. 

Yesterday, Raila assured aspirants that ODM’s party nominations “would be free, fair, democratic and clean”.

Present at the conference were the party National Election Board officials led by Muthee Kathurima.

Raila told the aspirants that ODM is not keen on forming another coalition government. Drawing on lessons from the Grand Coalition, the PM said ODM wants to win the General Election and form a government to implement its policies without compromising on issues dear to the party.

Campaign teams

Addressing the aspirants at the Bomas of Kenya amphitheater in Nairobi, Raila told them ODM’s policies and ideologies that set it apart from its rivals must not be compromised.

“We need to form a government in which we can implement radical progammes at a much faster pace than a coalition could allow. We want to implement ODM policies, not an amalgamation of programmes that include policies we would never touch,” said the PM. “I believe we have a real chance, not just a fighting chance, of forming the next Government,” he said.

The PM also unveiled a team of 13 to lead party door-to-door campaigns. Dubbed ‘ODM Mashinani’, the campaigns will be officially launched in Nairobi tomorrow.

Nicholas Gumbo will lead Nyanza grassroots campaigns, North Rift will be headed by Margaret Kamar, Central Rift by Musa Sirma, South West Rift by Franklin Bett, and Maasai region by Joseph Nkaissery.

Farah Maalim will lead North Eastern. Others are Alfred Khang’ati (Western), and Joe Nyagah (Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi). Ali Dida will head campaigns in Eastern region (Isiolo and Marsabit), Fred Gumo will lead Nairobi, Dhadho Godhana will head Tana River, and Ramadhan Kajembe will lead Mombasa region.

Omar Zongo will lead campaigns in Kwale, Thomas Mwadeghu in Taita Taveta, and Gideon Mung’aro in Kilifi.

 “I remind you again: Do not be confused by formations.  It is a two-horse contest. It is ODM against the rest.  They vote together they think the same. They may claim to be competing against each other, in reality, they are their accomplices,” he said.

The PM also dismissed claims by his rivals that they would compete against each other in the first round of presidential election.

Raila said ODM is different from other parties because it is “the party of the Constitution”.

Promised land

Noted the PM: “On April 8, 2010, while they still dithered, while they still waited to see where Raila Odinga stood, while they still argued about alterations, this party and its leader rallied behind the then draft Constitution. Only then did things begin to fall into place.  We are the party of the Constitution,” Raila said.

Raila said the struggle to free Kenyans from dictatorship and mediocrity has been a long one and has resulted in loss of life and suffering.

“We have the responsibility to continue the struggle and till we reach the Promised Land,” he said. He said ODM stands for social democracy and social economy to ensure equity in Kenya.

“We do not need a Kenya with 40 millionaires and 40 million beggars,” said the PM rephrasing a similar statement by the late Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, who was assassinated in the 1970s.

The PM said his party wants to ensure self-sufficiency in food production in a more comprehensive way, and ensure water is available to all homes and families.

The PM said the party wants also to ensure every Kenyan has a right to life, quality healthcare, and roofs over their heads, and access to quality education. An ODM government will ensure all Kenyans can get compete in the job market on an equal footing, said Raila.

“We stand for equity, social justice, and equality in access to opportunities and gender parity.  We fought hard to have these in the Constitution. We stand hard behind our women and affirmative action,” the PM said.

“No one is there to hold us back from arriving there. Kenyans are able to bring democracy,” he added.

The PM said those elected next year would be making history, putting them on the same pedestal as MPs who were elected in 1963 to usher in Independence. This time around, said the PM, those elected would be ushering in a new phase in the country’s leadership.

“They will be giving new meaning to the new Constitution and will operationalise it in full force,” Raila said.

“We are looking for people, men and women who have conviction, confidence, compassion, and courage to carry this country forward. We need people who have faith in this country; men and women who see and use politics as a force for good,” the PM said. He said the party has a real chance to win the March 4 elections, and not just a fighting chance.

“Because the people of Kenya deserve better, we have to win the coming elections,” Raila said.

He urged his supporters “to campaign like never before” and ensure that people register and use their vote.

Party chairman Henry Kosgey said the competition is between those who want reforms, equity and justice, and those whose agenda is confused and have personal ambitions for self-survival.

“We have chosen the path of reforms,” Kosgey said, noting that ODM was frustrated and “robbed” in the 2007 presidential election, but refused to give up.

“We were victims and continue to be victims of government.  We knew we were going to fight again and the time is now,” Kosgey said.

Meanwhile, the ‘ODM Reloaded’ team is set for an open day at Kenyatta International Conference Centre to interact with supporters, while Raila will campaign in Kilgoris on Friday and Dandora on Saturday.