NAIROBI: A top organ of the Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) meets today to discuss election rules ahead of the 2017 elections and amid growing rebellion within its ranks.
The Central Management Committee (CMC) first met two weeks ago to forestall a fallout after some of the party's MPs from Western, Nyanza and Coast regions openly revolted against the leadership. Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba resigned as ODM Secretary General while Funyula's Paul Otuoma quit as national vice chairperson.
Today's meeting, however, coincides with an escalation of the conflict pitting the MPs against the party leaders.
In the previous meeting, which Mr Namwamba attended, the committee gave dissenters 14 days to file their grievances for arbitration. However, the resignations point to worsening relations. Namwamba and Otuoma have been joined by two other MPs, John Waluke (Sirisia) and Wilbur Ottichillo (Emuhaya), who say they will decamp.
Namwamba and Otuoma are not expected at today's meeting which comes ahead of next week's four-day rallies in western Kenya. Allies say the rallies to be led by Raila are meant to counter the rebellion.
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Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, a key member of the committee, will not be available. Mr Joho's spokesman, Richard Chaacha, yesterday evening said the governor had sent his apologies as he had a scheduled meeting with the Senate.
The CMC meeting, to be chaired by Raila, comes as new cracks emerged in the party after some Kisii ODM leaders openly canvassed for a new political party.
Led by Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, the Abagusii leaders urged Kuria leaders to join them in forming a political outfit they said would better serve their interests as a marginalised community.
Bargaining tool
Speaking at a fundraising event for Kebaroti Catholic Church in Kuria East on Sunday, Mr Onyonka said the two communities in South Nyanza have historical and cultural ties and it would be prudent for them to form a party they could use as a bargaining tool.
Onyonka's statement came after other leaders, led by Senator Chris Obure, called for a new party to spearhead the community's interests. Obure, however, said forming a political party did not mean they were fighting Jubilee or CORD. It was only a way of ensuring the community's interests were served, he added.
"We as the Abagusii have decided to have a party of our own so that towards 2017, we can bargain with either Jubilee or ODM on what either of them have to offer us as a community," he said.
And yesterday, ODM chairman John Mbadi said the CMC would discuss the party's election rules in readiness for the General Election and "any other emerging issues".
However, Mbadi said complaints raised by MPs from Western region may or may not be discussed at the meeting. Nonetheless, he said he was yet to receive any resignation letters from disgruntled legislators.
"They are probably still drafting the letters but I have not received any communication from them," he said.
ODM MPs from western have expressed displeasure over how other national officials treat them. Namwamba declared that Luhya unity was unstoppable but Vihiga Senator George Khaniri cautioned leaders against abandoning ODM.
Mr Khaniri said the rebels were giving Jubilee an early Christmas gift because going their separate ways would not solve problems in ODM. He said leaders must learn to sacrifice their ambitions and embrace tolerance for a better country.
"In 2002, when the country was suffocating under bad leadership, Raila Odinga, George Saitoti, Kijana Wamalwa and Charity Ngilu dropped their ambitions and supported Mwai Kibaki to usher in a completely new era," Khaniri said.
Started talks
Namwamba said leaders from the region would not continue to submit to politicians from other areas.
"This time round, Luhya unity is real. I have started talks with Ford Kenya's Moses Wetang'ula, ANC's Musalia Mudavadi, Ken Lusaka of New Ford Kenya and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo. We want to form a formidable unity that will take us places," he said.
Namwamba, who resigned last week, however maintained he was still in ODM.
"We have been ridiculed because of playing second to other communities. We can't continue staying in a party that undermines us because we are equal partners and should be treated with utmost respect," he said.
Speaking in Sirisia, Namwamba said the disgruntled MPs would make a major statement regarding the politics of Western region.
But Khaniri said ODM politicians should remain in the party and resolve their problems from within.
"Already, the country is suffering from poor leadership and leaders are busy dividing the country even more. If we don't speak with one voice, then we are only creating a soft landing spot for Jubilee," he added.
He said increased corruption, extra-judicial killings, high cost of living and unbalanced appointments to State positions should make other leaders unite to supplant Jubilee. Khaniri spoke at Mutave Friends Church in North Maragoli ward, Vihiga County, during a funds drive also attended by County Assembly Deputy Speaker Richard Muhiga and MCAs Andrew Ahuga and Vennah Kaisha attended the event.
The senator urged local leaders eyeing the presidency to shelve their ambitions and join Raila to form a formidable force ahead of the next polls.
"If they join Raila, he may support one of them for the presidency. If they are not ready to use their common sense, I will put some into their heads," he said, adding that the leaders should rally behind Mudavadi who in turn would hold talks with Raila and decide who to front for the presidency.
