Political headache for Raila in his backyard

By DENNIS ONYANGO

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga is confronted with a new challenge of reconciling the warring parties in his Nyanza region backyard over leadership positions in the Orange outfit.

This follows a new push by youthful MPs to wrestle power from their more experienced counterparts. When Kisumu Town MP Ken Obura first spearheaded the move three months ago, the former Prime Minister asked the “Young Turks” to tone down their push.

Then, Raila advocated for a blend between the youthful and experience politicians.

Now the clamour is back ahead of party elections slated for February next year, following Gwasi MP John Mbadi’s declaration that he will contest for the post of Secretary-General, currently held by Kisumu County Senator, Anyang’ Nyong’o. Obura is also interested in the same seat, as members of National Assembly from Kisii region, Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango), Simon Ogari (Bomachoge Chache) and Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba) eye other seats.

Nyamweya is eyeing the powerful post of party chairmanship while Ogari and Bosire have expressed interest in the post of Treasurer.

Regional lines

While the political competition is healthy, there are fears it could open up divisions in the party along generational and regional lines, especially between Kisii and Luo Nyanza. And even among the latter, there is further friction building between MPs drawn from South Nyanza and their Central Nyanza counterparts. 

Although Nyong’o has not revealed whether he will fight to retain the Secretary General’s post, sources within the party claim Siaya County senator James Orengo and his counterpart Elizabeth Ongoro (Nominated) have expressed interest in the powerful seat.

Fresh energy

Mbadi, Obura and Nyamweya, on the other hand, are making no secret of their plans to capture the leadership positions, with the aim of injecting a fresh energy to improve the party’s performance in general elections.

Obura, 32, has marshaled the support of first-term legislators mainly drawn from South Nyanza region including George Oner (Rangwe) Jared K’Opiyo (Awendo), Silvance Osele (Kabondo-Kasipul) and Agostino Neto (Ndhiwa).

Other MPs in his camp include Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), Junet Mohammed (Suna East) and David Ochieng (Ugenya).

His challenger, Mbadi, has already secured the backing of his Uriri counterpart John Kobado who is also the secretary of Parliamentary Group in Migori County.

“This party requires fresh leadership in order to endear itself with the youth who are faced with a myriad challenges. We want to ensure the party goes for the ultimate prize which is the presidency in the next General Election,” Nyamweya said. With the exit of Janet Ong’era (now nominated senator) as party Executive Director, leaders from the Gusii region have said they deserve a stake in the executive committee.

And declaring his quest to replace Nyong’o, Mbadi maintained, “the move by young MPs in ODM to take over the reins of power is real and unstoppable”.

The outspoken lawmaker who describes himself as tested, tried and trusted, remarked that the party needs radical reforms in order to remain relevant in the highly competitive and ever-changing political atmosphere.

“I will ensure that the nomination is free and fair and avoid incidents where people escape with nomination certificates while others buy leadership to lock out voters’ voice,” he added. However, Kabondo- Kasipul legislator Sylvance Osele declared he would support Obura since he spearheads the group that initiated the ‘Sega Declaration’ plan to change the party leadership.

Obura has maintained his political quest is not a rebellion against Raila, the party leader but a scheme to initiate reforms in the party. “I want to be elected ODM secretary general so that we can take this party to the next level and I will not back down. It should not be misunderstood as a fight between the young and the old; there is no infighting. We only want to invent ways to better ODM,” he added.

Young turks

A section of ODM MPs have also faulted those agitating for the party leadership based on the age factor, saying the group has not made any contributions to the party.

“This group (Young Turks) is overexcited about party leadership and wants to reduce ODM to a Luo affair. We need a mature and sober individual who can handle the challenging tasks of the party,” said Oyugi Magwanga, Kasipul MP.

He said the group could still restructure the party without necessarily being in influential positions, adding that the party still needs the services of the old guard. Other legislators who share his sentiments include among others James Wandayi (Ugunja), Fred Outa (Nyando), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) and Paul Otuoma (Funyula). They have criticised the approach adopted by the young MPs in their quest to ascend to the helm of the party, saying it must be based on leadership orientations and experience.

Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga said leadership is about skills and not age, adding that the party should be in the hands of those capable of sustaining its vibrancy.

“We should not go for leaders merely because they are young.  Leadership has many facets, not just age. Experience and financial muscle are paramount. We will also want to know what they have done for the party and their constituents to prove their ability,” he says.

Anyanga says he supports Gumbo for position of ODM Secretary General, although the Rarieda MP is yet to declare interest in the seat.

Political analyst Dr Lukoye Atwoli remarked that the party could only survive the political tides if it is restructured.

 “ODM must accept to die in order to resurrect. It must give room for a fresh leadership to drive its agenda,” said the Moi University don. The threat to unity in the party is a setback as plans to reposition itself for the 2017 political contest gets underway. Even more dangerous is the fact that the high interest of candidates from Raila’s backyard could reduce the giant Orange party into a Nyanza region affair.