Cracks in ODM as battle for positions intensifies

By JAMES MBAKA

ODM plans to hold its National Delegates Convention in February next year to pick new office bearers in the wake of reports of fresh ripples within its ranks.

The Standard on Sunday has reliably learnt that all is not well at Orange House, with protests from party a member over what they claim is non-inclusivity in the way decisions are made and implemented.

At hand is a serious crisis in raising campaign funds for the Nyaribari Chache, Bomachoge Borabu and Lunga Lunga parliamentary by-elections campaigns and the Bungoma senatorial race.

ODM is already feeling the financial heat with the delayed disbursements of funding from the Political Parties Fund. In September, the High Court blocked sharing of Sh210billion set aside for political parties that would have helped to finance party campaigns.

There is discontent that the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) had directed each member to donate Sh100,000 to facilitate the campaigns. ODM is a senior member of the CORD family as are Wiper Democratic Movement and Ford-Kenya. The coalition wants to raise Sh50 million to finance the campaigns.

A source who attended CORD’s closed-door Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting at Orange House last week intimated to The Standard on Sunday that it was resolved that each member donates the funds to oil the campaign wheels.

“ODM MPs complained bitterly that they were being forced to donate campaign money while the party was an institution with proper financing from the Exchequer,” said the source that opted for anonymity because of sensitivity of the matter.

But ODM Executive Director Magerer Langa’t defended the funds-drive initiative, saying it was a normal practice in an election.

According to another insider at Orange House, some ODM members have not been remitting their monthly dues thereby paralysing operations of the country’s largest single political party. While parties receive funding from the Political Parties Fund, parties also depend on members contributions to run day-to-day activities and programmes.

 Some ODM MPs who spoke to The Standard on Sunday in confidence lamented that there were serious issues that needed to be addressed. “It is not about whether we are remitting subscriptions or not, it all starts from failed party structures bordering on ‘bullying’; I mean one person just deciding for all of us,” said a source.

Other ODM MPs also complained that their party leader Raila Odinga was becoming inaccessible and a few individuals who influenced his decisions had sandwiched him. “I have talked to the former PM all the time about the same but after agreeing, the clique around him goes ahead to prevail upon him to make some decisions that do not augur well for the party,” South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya says.

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo are some of the closest leaders to Raila.

He said it was time the party was rejuvenated and reorganised to reposition itself ahead of 2017.

But the former PM seems to have allowed a change of guard to accommodate the grievances during the last PG meeting. The front bench saw reorganisation to bring in nominated senator Agnes Zani, who read the scripted statement before Raila fielded questions.

There are also fears that the upcoming NDC could cause more ripples within ODM because of the divisive nature of campaigns. The NDC had been postponed several times with fears that Jubilee was planning to infiltrate the delegates.

Shown interest

Party members who have expressed interest are burning the midnight oil in the battle for the 26 seats up for grabs. Apparently majority of the outgoing party officials have maintained conspicuous silence as to what their intentions are.

Those who have not shown interest in defending their positions include outgoing officials Henry Kosgey (chairman) and Anyang’ Nyong’o (secretary general) including Dalmas Otieno who has been acting as party treasurer after former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara left

A fierce political battle looms large pitting seasoned politicians against the so-called young turks.

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho is among some of the politicians on campaign overdrive to woo delegates although others have not stated the positions they are interested in.

Joho will face Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati, who will defend his seat as Organising Secretary. 

The party faces an acid test to tame falling out and ensure regional balance and the gender rule in leadership positions are achieved.

Former Speaker Kenneth Marende will face Nyamweya in the battle for the position of chairman.

“I have made my position very clear that I will only accept the position of chairman to give the party freshness,” Nyamweya said. Marende said he would offer himself to the delegates to decide during the NDC.

“I have no problem about anyone, I am not being pushed by anyone. I am on my own with determination to offer leadership to the party,” Marende said. Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba will face outspoken Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura and nominated senator Elizabeth Ongoro for Secretary General. Namwamba enjoys close ties with Raila.

Obura’s camp that has been calling for a total overhaul of the party  includes Ken Okoth (Kibra), Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), Sylvance Osele (Kasipul Kabodo) Fred Opiyo (Awendo) and George Oner (Rangwe).

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is eying the Vice-Chairman’s seat, while Bomachoge Chache MP Simon Ogari will battle it out with his Kitutu Masaba counterpart Timothy Bosire for the position of Treasurer.

Meanwhile, ODM Youth League has effected major changes in its national leadership, replacing some key leaders who deserted the party.

 The changes were made at a National Governing Council meeting   chaired by chairman Rashid Mohammed (pictured left) and attended by youth chairmen from the 47 counties at a Nairobi hotel.

Among those replaced include Deputy chairman Martin Muthusi, whose position has been taken by  Anthony Mutinda. Secretary General John Ketora has been replaced by  Ken Cheruiyot  while Deputy Secretary General  George Okewa  was replaced by Collins Ondiek.

The meeting also replaced national treasury  Mwatoza Mwasambu by Amaram Hamisi.