Raila Odinga calms his backyard as calls for new party wobble

ODM leader Raila Odinga at a past party function. The party’s polls were marred by chaos last month.

By DENNIS ONYANGO

Kenya: Before going to the US on a one-month trip, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga moved to restore ‘order’ in his Luo-Nyanza backyard.

Raila not only appealed to residents to remain firm in the Orange party but also refuted claims that had sparked a cold war in the region, that he forced area leaders out of the race for national party positions.

The move was seen as a trick to scuttle the simmering revolt that had signaled formation of a new political movement to be known as Kalausi (whirlwind).

The misunderstanding over the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) elections had pitted Raila against some leaders from the region, with some threatening to withdraw support from the party and craft their own political path.

But speaking at a fundraiser in aid of jua kali artisans in Kisumu County last week, Odinga maintained he did not want to influence the leadership of the party as alleged by disgruntled members.

To drive his point home, Raila named each, explaining the circumstances that forced them to quit the race.

Rival movement

“I did not ask anybody to step down in favour of another. Those who stepped down did so on their own volition. You can even confirm from Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero who is here. He consulted me to quit the race due to his huge responsibility as the city boss.”

Raila also explained the cause of discomfort between him and Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, who is said to be one of the brains behind the planned formation of a new outfit.

He claimed Dalmas ‘grew cold’ when he (Raila) refused to grant his request for endorsement to the helm of the party.

“I told him to fight for the position with other contenders, as a man,” he said.

The former KANU man, now branded Jubilee mole, is currently on a peace mission in Juba, South Sudan, after being given the assignment by President Kenyatta.

Raila assured supporters that the party interim leaders would move to address any discontent and unite its members.

Despite the threat posed by the giant ODM and Raila’s huge clout in the region, there have been calls to form a rival party.

However, due to fear of a backlash, those alleged to be behind the outfit do not publicly associate themselves with it.

However, The Standard on Sunday has learnt there are behind-the scene arrangements to consolidate support and roll out the movement, with the latest strategy meeting allegedly held two weeks ago in a Nairobi hotel.

“We met as like-minded people whose aim is to ensure there is a balance between politics and development in Nyanza,” said a former MP, who attended the meeting.

Those behind the deal include a group of politicians, who felt shortchanged in the 2013 disputed ODM primaries and some youthful first- term MPs, majorly drawn from southern Nyanza.

The Standard on Sunday has learnt that some former legislators who served in the 10th Parliament but never made it back in 2013 allegedly for not having received enough support from Raila have also joined the train.

The movement is being backed by one of the factions of Luo council of elders led by Ker Riaga Ogalo.

The idea exploded when some Raila loyalists raised alarm over Governor Evans Kidero’s harambees in the region, claiming it was a move to inherit the former PM’s support base.

The idea drew mixed reactions among the MPs from the region, with the pro-Kidero initiative being tagged rebels while Raila’s loyalists were labeled sycophants.

Denied claims

In the Kisumu function, an elderly woman, a staunch supporter of Raila who normally excites supporters before he addresses major public rallies in the region, surprised the crowd when she told him that Nyanza MPs were no longer loyal.

“Jakom jogi wuondi, gik ma wawinjo katimoregi buogowa kendo nyisowa ni ok gin kodi (chairman (Raila), these people (MPs) are cheating you. The events indicate they are not with you. It is painful to us,” she said.

Raila’s key allies, however, vowed to ‘kill’ any plot to form another outfit other than ODM, maintaining only the Orange party can unite the region.

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo was very categorical: “No political movement aiming to undermine Raila can survive in the region. Very soon, I will name the juvenile politicians who are out to split ODM especially in Nyanza,” Midiwo said.

Siaya Senator James Orengo denied reports of split and urged leaders not to concentrate on politics of Luoland alone but also on development of the area.

“We will insist that our MPs avoid making utterances that can split the party,” he said.

Nyando MP Fred Outa accused some of the newly elected MPs of “being used by enemies” to divide the region, warning them that they are bound to fail.

“There are plans to humiliate Raila’s key allies in order to divide his support,” Outa said.

Kisumu central MP Ken Obura, however, urged politicians to direct their energy to rebuilding the party instead of advancing personal interests.

“All of us are behind Raila as the undisputed leader of the region and we will continue supporting him to realise his dream as president of Kenya in 2017,” Obura said.

Pipe dream

Although the idea to form the rival party was mooted almost two months ago, experts are of the opinion that it could be a pipe dream due to the political landscape in Nyanza.

Tom Mboya, a political analyst and Maseno University don, says  that Nyanza is not ready for another political party owing to the strength of ODM and the status of Raila as the regional kingpin, a position he has held for more than two decades.

“The formation of the party could be a good idea for the region because it will provide an alternative, but its ethnic name may work to its advantage,” he says.

Kidero, who was the chief guest at the Kisumu fundraiser, kept off politics and urged leaders to concentrate on development.