Lobby wants hiring of ODM boss halted

By Vitalis Kimutai

Nairobi, Kenya: A lobby group wants the process of picking ODM’s executive director stopped to allow professionals from public and private sector apply for the position.

Friends of Raila (Fora) national chairman Micah Kigen said the initiative to replace Ms Janet Ong’era, who was nominated to Senate, should not be hurried especially after the party lost the March 4 General Election.

“There are many respected men and women including former Permanent Secretaries, CEOs of parastatals, ambassadors and leaders in private sector with proven managerial skills, who are keen on succeeding Ong’era. They should be considered for the position,” Kigen said in a statement.

He claimed some officials in the last election, who are now seeking to lead the party, are to blame for its loss.

 “With the national grassroots structures in place and the formidable support the party enjoys, members want a well thought-out and all-inclusive process of picking officials to steer the party into recovery and plot to take over power in 2017,” Kigen said.

He said an initiative to replace those who quit the party before and after polls, including those who have bowed out of active politics, should be done in such a manner that it does not lead to fallout among members and officials.

“Infightings during campaigns, which were fuelled by some influential individuals in the party, poor coordination of campaigns and high handedness by people, who should have been providing leadership, were among things that made the party lose,” Kigen said.

Unsettle membership

He added that genuine party members and supporters want democracy to be entrenched in the party to make it the political vehicle of choice for those aspiring for various leadership positions in next elections.

“We should not allow piece-meal re-organisation, which can unsettle membership and lead some to decamp to other parties,” Kigen said.

Among those who were shortlisted for the position include former Energy assistant minister Langat Magerer, Caesar Asiyo, Kenneth Butiko, John Kiema and Betty Syengo.