A major fallout looms in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) regarding the party’s nominations ahead of the 2017 elections following claims the party has a list of preferred candidates.
Caught in the nomination fears is Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who last week wrote a protest letter to ODM after revelations by one of the party’s senior officials that the governor will be denied the Orange ticket to defend his seat.
Kidero, in a terse letter to acting ODM secretary general Agnes Zani, protested claims by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed who allegedly said the party’s top leadership does not have Kidero in its 2017 plans. Junet is said to have made the utterances at a Nairobi restaurant on September 5.
In the letter, the governor claimed the MP, who is also the ODM director of elections, swore that the Raila Odinga-led party had decided not to give the governor the ticket.
“I have information that Hon Mohamed loudly swore to those who were seated with him and within the hearing of the entire restaurant that, I Governor Kidero, will not be a candidate for the Governor of Nairobi since the party has already decided to deny me the party ticket for the 2017 General Election, ” read Kidero’s letter in part.
He also claimed that Junet was meeting a Jubilee-leaning lawyer and other leaders when he made the remarks. “I find his behaviour not only most unfortunate but also careless in the extreme...I am a senior member of the party and it is sad that such a serious party matter concerning me could be discussed in such a casual and careless manner, ” said Kidero.
“I ask that the party reassures me and other members that the outcomes of nominations have not been pre-determined.” But contacted, Junet told People Daily that he is not in charge of ODM nominations and declined to comment further on the matter.
He said the governor has not raised the issue with him. “I do not conduct nominations. He (Kidero) has not written to me I will not comment until he does,” said Junet. Yesterday, Orange House assured members of fair primaries.
“It has come to our attention that party members are expressing concerns over our party nominations. We want to make it clear the party has no list of preferred candidates,” said party executive director Oduor Ong’wen.
Ong’wen also cautioned the party’s NEC members from loose-talks that creates unnecessary panic saying they have no role in the management of primaries.
Topping the list of leaders who have lost confidence of the party are a number of governors, MPs who according to Orange House insiders changed loyalty immediately after the 2013 general Elections and never toed party lines in the last three years.
Some leaders though have not publicly announced their loyalty shift but are still doubted within the party circles given the wide berth they always give party activities.
In ODM, MPs Dalmas Otieno (Rongo), Stephen Kariuki (Mathare), Ababu Namwamba (Budalangi), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), James Rege (Karachuonyo), John Walukhe (Sirisia), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North) and Ken Obura (Kisumu Central) are some of the MPs who have protested an alleged lack of democracy in the Orange party and has shifted their loyalties.
Rege, walukhe and Kariuki have both officially ditched the Orange party for the recently launched Jubilee Party on whose ticket President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto will seek for their re-election. Ends.......
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