Civil society leader eyes ODM top post

By BEAUTTAH OMANGA

Days after the Orange Democratic Movement announced an election timetable, campaigns for various positions have kicked off.

The chairman of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy-Kenya Larry Gumbe has declared his interest in the post of secretary-general.

Prof Gumbe said he has a long and rich political leadership history, which he will use to inject fresh leadership in ODM if elected.

"I have what it takes to serve ODM as secreatary-general and I have commenced an aggressive campaign to capture the seat," Gumbe declared, yesterday.

Gumbe will be running against the outgoing officeholder Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is the Minister for Medical Services. Prof Nyong’o has served the party in that position since it was registered in 2005.

Fallouts

However, it still remains unclear if the party will allow State officers who include MPs and Cabinet ministers to hold party positions.

Speaking last week, the party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga assured all party members that they were free to seek any position when the elections kick off early March.

There has been speculations that some of the officeholders might not offer themselves for re-election with those allied to deputy party leader William Ruto presumed to be headed elsewhere.

The party grassroots elections are scheduled for March 5 to 8.