Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga maintains Orange Democratic Movement elections as scheduled
By Standard Reporter
NAIROBI, KENYA: ODM leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday confirmed that the party elections will be conducted as earlier scheduled.
He urged party supporters to ignore rumors that the elections have been postponed.
“I wish to reaffirm that the Party will hold its elections on 28th February, 2014 as earlier announced, ODM supporters and those vying for various positions should ignore rumors to the effect that the elections have been postponed,†he said in a statement.
The former Prime Minister assured all candidates that the party values all of them and will favour none. Instead, it will ensure free, fair and transparent elections that will leave it stronger and representative of the various segments and interests.
He appealed for issue and fact based campaigns that take cognizance of the fact that the party’s real opponents are not those vying for positions currently, but the ones it is to face from other parties after the elections.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga maintains Orange Democratic Movement elections as scheduled
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ODM poll to go on as planned, says Nyong’o
By JAMES MBAKA and ANJELLAH OWINO
“The rumours that the elections will be pushed forward are baseless and made to cause unnecessary tension. We will hold the event as earlier planned,” Nyong’o said at Orange House accompanied by party Executive Director Magarer Langat.
The Orange Democratic ( ODM) has clarified that the forthcoming party National Delegates Conference (NDC) will go on as planned. ODM Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o has dispelled rumours that the convention to elect new office bearers will be postponedThe outgoing official also asked various aspirants to refrain from making statements that undermine party institutions.
The Kisumu Senator assured all the candidates that the party would hold free, fair and credible elections.
This comes a day after some aspirants alleged that the party’s national elections board as currently constituted could not be trusted, as some of the members had served in the previous team that bungled nominations.
The party will today unveil the names of aspirants for various seats for the February 28 and March 1 party elections.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : ODM poll to go on as planned, says Nyong?o
re: The ODM National Elections 28/2/2014
Fresh twist as hopefuls reject ODM elections board
By JAMES MBAKA
NAIROBI, KENYA: Protests have rocked ODM after some members rejected the team named recently to oversee the forthcoming party elections.
At least four MPs who plan to contest for top positions have rejected the composition of the National Elections Board (NEB), alleging it is a threat to credible polls.
They are uneasy about the retention of six officials who served on the board that oversaw party nominations marred with allegations of impropriety in the run-up to the last General Election.
The members said the bungled nominations cost ODM seats after popular candidates rigged out in the primaries fled to fringe parties.
MPs Elizabeth Ongoro, Abdullahi Dirje (Wajir South) and Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango) are among those who questioned the wisdom of retaining the officials.
Bundalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba was more diplomatic but demanded credible polls.
Critics want those who served in the previous NEB excluded from the team to manage the polls that are billed to usher in fresh leadership for the country’s single largest political entity.
Those who served in the previous board are East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Judy Pareno, who will chair the board, and colleague at EALA Nancy Abisai, Chacha Nyaigoiti Chacha, Peter Kuguru, former Assistant minister Joseph Misoi and Hellen Katangie.
Other members are former Nyakach MP Peter Odoyo, Mwajirani Aman, Peter Mutulu and Rashif Ibrahim.
Ms Ongoro, a nominated senator, fired a salvo at the Ms Pareno-led team, saying it was a blend of failures that ruined the previous party processes.
Ongoro, who is eyeing the position of secretary general, said the nine-member team lacked freshness of ideas and necessary technical expertise to conduct credible elections.
She said the party had entered the build-up to the elections on a wrong footing by failing to properly constitute a credible and reliable body to manage the elections.
BUNGLED NOMINATIONS
“This is the worst thing I have ever seen, this is the very team that bungled the last nominations without any ounce of shame, and has been paraded again to carry out a task it miserably failed to execute,” Ongoro told The Standard.
Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, who is gunning for the post of organising secretary, took issue with the reinstatement of Dr Misoi to the current board.
“I have no confidence in Misoi because he had served in the former board as a secretary and they bungled nominations, which cost the party dearly. We had rejected him last time, why return him now?” quipped Mr Ndolo.
Ndolo said party members had invested heavily in the party and wanted credible elections.
Mr Dirje, the Wajir South MP who is contesting for the deputy national treasurer position, said he did not have faith in the team as currently constituted.
“I want to state clearly that we still hope that there is more time to put up a credible team that can be entrusted with the task of delivering free, fair and democratic elections,” said Dirje.
He warned that ODM risked plunging into a more divisive election than the mess that cost the party dearly in the past poll.
“Our county produced the highest number of seats won by ODM candidates, what will we have to take home if a referee that has been appointed to oversee the elections convincingly looks partisan and dependent?” said the MP.
INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
South Mugirango’s Mr Nyamweya, who is running for the chairman’s position, warned that “this was a well-placed opportunity for the party to show that it does not only agitate for democracy but it really practices it”.
The MP noted that Kenyans would only take the party seriously if there was internal democracy.
“What we are saying is that some of the members included in the board served in the previous team that really messed up the party, and we cannot entrust the same body to bring freshness to the party,” he said.
Gitonga Wathanga, an aspirant for the position of party organising secretary, said it was important that those who had an opportunity to serve in the previous team be left out and a neutral team brought on board.
“Some of the officials interfered a lot with the nominations. They even literally collected money from aspirants with the promise that they were going to secure them nomination certificates,” said Mr Wathanga.
Namwamba demanded that the party conducts credible elections.
“It matters little to me who is favoured by the party leadership, or who serves at the elections board because I am confident of winning the SG race with a landslide,” said Namwamba.
Asked what he expected of the team, Namwamba said: “I need no favours…but I demand free, fair and credible elections.”
Pareno replaced former Bureti MP Franklin Bett, who chaired the board in the run-up to last year’s March’s General Election.
Party nominations were, however, marred with accusations of rigging and award of certificates to preferred candidates.
Mr Bett, a former Cabinet minister, has since quit the party.
Pareno now faces an uphill task to ensure that the old ghosts of messed-up elections do not re-emerge to haunt the nine-member team entrusted with delivering a refreshed leadership for the Orange party.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Fresh twist as hopefuls reject ODM elections board- re: The ODM National Elections 28/2/2014
REBEL LUO MPs SHOP FOR PARTY
TRANSPARENT: ODM National Elections Board commissioner Joseph Misoi, chairperson Judith Pareno and party CEO Magerer Langat at a press conference at Orange House in Nairobi yesterday.
REBEL Luo Nyanza MPs are now considering registering their own party. They are apparently unhappy with the way former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is running ODM. The MPs had initially toyed with the idea of taking over the Liberal Democratic Party, founded by Raila in 2002, but they abandoned the idea because its present officials are still Odinga-ists.
The MPs have now resolved to register a new party and build it up before decamping en masse in case Raila fails to address their their concerns, according to insiders. MPs from Luo Nyanza have threatened to desert ODM after Raila told them not to contest any national positions in the upcoming party polls.
Yesterday the Star learnt that the legislators have been engaged in secret consultative meetings aimed at building a consensus for a new party. They have already floated the name of Movement for Democratic Change for their political vehicle.
"We have been misled by the Odingas for along time. Time has come for us to break their hold on the people of Nyanza," said an MP from South Nyanza.
If the MPs succeed in their plan, it will not be the first time Luo leaders have challenged the Odingas. Previous attempts by the late Tom Mboya, Odongo Omamo, Shem Ochuodho, James Orengo and former Minister Raphael Tuju to challenge them in Nyanza were unsuccessful. Those involved in the latest attempt are trying to involve as many leaders as possible from the region to increase their chances of wrestling support from Raila.
In the past two weeks there have been several secret meetings, mainly in Nairobi, where it was resolved that a new party be duly registered. It was also resolved that no MP would decamp for the time being as that would precipitate a by-election in their constituencies. They will however quietly develop the party and only quit ODM at an opportune time before the 2017 elections.
Those unhappy with Raila are mainly from South Nyanza and reportedly disgruntled on the leadership provided by Central Nyanza. The South Nyanza comprises Homa Bay and Migori counties while Central Nyanza comprises Kisumu and Siaya counties. Raila comes from Central Nyanza where some elected leaders have also voiced concerns on his leadership style.
Yesterday at Orange house, ODM Elections Board chairperson Judith Pareno released a list of members who will contest for various party positions between February 28 to March 1.
“We have been hearing a song that the party has a secret list of preferred candidates. We assure all the stakeholders that there are no preferred candidates. The only candidates we have are in the list released today by this elections board,” Pareno said yesterday.
“We wish to confirm that we are professional, impartial and dedicated to ensure that we have free and fair elections,” she added. She said the board was not responsible for the mess during the last general elections.
Dagoretti MP Paul Simba Arati will challenge Raila for the position of party leader. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and David Songok Langat will compete for deputy party leader. Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, Manson Nyamweya, Lawrence Mpuru Aburi, Josphat Koli Nanok and Isaac Musau Mwilu are gunning for the post of national chairperson.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Homa Bay senator Otieno Kajwang will stand for deputy chairperson after nominated senator Janet Ong'era pulled out of the race. Kisumu senator Anyang' Nyong'o has retired as ODM Secretary General and the post will be contested by Senator Agnes Zani, Nicholas Gumbo, nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba.
The ODM elections chairperson said her board had received 89 forms by the deadline of January 31. Pareno said a final list will be released after it is confirmed that all the candidates have complied with terms set out in election and nomination rules. She said a complete delegates register will be released soon. ODM executive director Magerer Langat urged party members from claims that the party has a secret list of preferred candidates.
“The list we know is the one we have released today and any other should be treated with contempt it deserves,” he said -
See more at: REBEL LUO MPs SHOP FOR PARTY | The Star - re: The ODM National Elections 28/2/2014
Claims of Jubilee moles rock ODM talks
CORD leader Raila Odinga listens to his coalition partners Kalonzo Musyoka (right) and Moses Wetangula at Monday’s leaders’ retreat in Naivasha.
By Steve Mkawale and Anthony Gitonga
Kenya: Tempers soared at the Orange Democratic Movement’s leaders’ retreat in Naivasha over accusations that some members gunning for top posts were Jubilee ‘moles’ recruited to wreck the Opposition group from within.
The leader of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, to which ODM is a leading partner, Raila Odinga reportedly watched as the meeting degenerated into ugly exchanges.
The row was triggered off by Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’s unrelenting claims that leadership posts would not go to individuals whose loyalty was questionable.
Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba, who is contesting for Secretary General’s post, now held by Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o, reportedly challenged Kajwang and Mr Eliud Owalo to explain why they were branding him a Jubilee mole. Owalo was Raila’s campaign manager in the last presidential election and today sits in the CORD secretariat.
There were claims of a scuffle at the ODM caucus at the Great Rift Valley Lodge after the allegations but The Standard could not get any of the attendants to confirm on record.
Namwamba was incensed that the claims were designed to scuttle his bid in the party polls scheduled for February 28.
Apologise to members
He challenged Kajwang and Owalo to state why they were spreading propaganda in the media about moles and non-loyal members.
“Why is Kajwang questioning peoples’ loyalty to the party and asking those who are dissatisfied with the management of the party to leave?” posed Namwamba.
Busia Senator Amos Wako had earlier warned the party would lose if some members brand others spies and accuse them of not being loyal. “Those who are ‘measuring’ peoples’ loyalty to the party leader Raila Odinga must tell this meeting how they arrived at the conclusion of who are moles and disloyal,” Wako went on.
It is understood that Namwamba spoke out strongly against his accusers. It was at this point that Raila stood up and challenged Kajwang to explain what he meant by people not being loyal and asked him to name the moles. “Hon. Kajwang your name has been mentioned. What can you say about this?” Raila asked the senator.
After Kajwang had denied the allegations, Raila told him to withdraw and apologise to members, which he promptly did.
The incident occurred during a side meeting of ODM members during the retreat that brought together senators and MPs allied to CORD.
Owalo and Kajwang accused Namwamba of “flip-flopping” between ODM and the United Republic Party where he has been allegedly promised the position of deputy party leader by Deputy President William Ruto.
Sinking ship
“Namwamba and some of the leaders seeking positions in the party must not be trusted. As it stands today, ODM cannot allow people who are not true loyalists to take key positions,” said Owalo after the meeting.
Namwamba left before the meeting ended, saying he was traveling to the Coast to meet ODM delegates in Tana River.
He, however, maintained his stand that he was loyal to the party and that his quest for a senior post in the party was not to destabilise ODM but ensure that it goes to the next General Election stronger.
It emerged that CORD is toying with the idea of making some changes in its leadership in the National Assembly.
Deputy Chief whip Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi MP) reportedly came under fire at the meeting with claims he, too, was a Jubilee sympathiser.
Mung’aro was absent during the two-day CORD parliamentary group meeting. But Prof Nyong’o downplayed the issue saying his colleague, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, represented Mung’aro.
On Sunday, Jubilee Majority Leader Aden Duale told off ODM over claims the ruling coalition was interfering with the Orange party polls. “We would do it if the party was alive. We value our moles. We don’t want them to sink with that ship,” Duale responded.
Yesterday, Raila asked those campaigning for the top positions to conduct themselves with dignity and avoid attacking each other. “Those people calling others moles and spies should not be taken seriously. They may be using such strong words as a strategy to win votes,” he said.
The former Prime Minister announced that he would soon convene a meeting of all the 82 candidates to map out how the polls would be conducted.
Nyong’o explained Namwamba had not walked out of the meeting but had excused himself. “When you see a member walking out of the meeting in a brisk manner, just understand he has other issues to attend to. It is not walking out,” he told a media conference at the close of the retreat.Kajwang maintained the party should ‘select’ those most loyal to ODM and the party leader. He further claimed ODM has sometimes rewarded those whose loyalty could not be ascertained. - re: The ODM National Elections 28/2/2014
I hope it all goes well and democratically too. Clearly i' am appalled at the way things are being done in the orange party, especially with regard to elections.
Ab-Titchaz likes this. -
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re: The ODM National Elections 28/2/2014
By Koborer
Raila strikes deal on ODM party elections
ODM candidates for the position of secretary general Dr Agnes Zani (left) and Ababu Namwamba hug after a meeting with the National Elections Board at the party headquarters on February 18 2014.
By LUCAS BARASA
In Summary
- Prof Nyong’o said Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who has called for postponement of the polls to avoid splitting the party, had not made a formal request.
- Cord’s parliamentary group meeting at Orange House resolved that Minority Leader Francis Nyenze, his deputy Jakoyo Midiwo, Minority Whip Gideon Mungaro and his deputy Chris Wamalwa should continue in their positions.
- Meanwhile, TNA leaders are scheduled to meet in Naivasha from Friday to draw plans for its future. MPs, senators, members of county assemblies and other leaders are expected at the Great Rift Lodge to discuss a draft strategic plan for the party
.
ODM on Tuesday said it would proceed with its planned national elections despite opposition from some members.
Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba, who is vying for the secretary-general’s position and other leaders, said they were satisfied with preparations and assurances that the polls would be free and fair.
Party leader Raila Odinga led Mr Namwamba, Dr Agnes Zani, his strongest competitor for the seat, and other candidates in holding hands for a photo session in a show of unity.
At a meeting in Orange House, the candidates said they would remain in the party even if they lost in the February 28 elections. The delegates list is to be given to the candidates today.
In a statement read by outgoing secretary-general Anyang’ Nyong’o, the party accused Jubilee of wanting to balkanise the country through creation of regional parties.
Prof Nyong’o said Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who has called for postponement of the polls to avoid splitting the party, had not made a formal request.
“Among the assurances we have given our candidates is that the delegates or voters roll is sacred and will not be doctored. We will make it available to each county before elections,” Prof Nyong’o said.
Mr Odinga asked all the candidates to vie for the positions of their choice and let delegates decide.
In an earlier meeting, four top Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leaders in Parliament were spared the sack over allegations of poor performance.
Cord’s parliamentary group meeting at Orange House resolved that Minority Leader Francis Nyenze, his deputy Jakoyo Midiwo, Minority Whip Gideon Mungaro and his deputy Chris Wamalwa should continue in their positions.
The four were, however, warned that they would be dismissed if they did not pull up their socks.
Mr Nyenze, Mr Midiwo, Mr Mungaro and Mr Wamalwa had been accused of failing to provide direction in the House and championing Cord’s agenda.
Mr Mungaro had also been criticised over his alleged cooperation with Jubilee.
But a statement read by Ford-Kenya secretary-general Eseli Simiyu after the PG attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga and his Cord allies Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula said “after deliberation the Cord team agreed to retain its leadership in the National Assembly.”
“This followed a firm assurance by the three leaders that they will pull up their socks,” the statement said.
The PG also supported governors against a perceived onslaught on them by the national government.
It noted that while Cord supported a prudent use of scarce resources by county governments, the national government “must not opportunistically exploit the difficulties county governments are going through to undermine devolution.”
“Cord strongly supports devolved governments and will support all genuine efforts to improve good governance in the counties,” the coalition said.
It put the national government on notice, saying it should come clean on corruption scandals engulfing it.
Meanwhile, TNA leaders are scheduled to meet in Naivasha from Friday to draw plans for its future. MPs, senators, members of county assemblies and other leaders are expected at the Great Rift Lodge to discuss a draft strategic plan for the party.
“We are meeting to breathe life to a document that we, as party officials, have been preparing for the last one month or so. Everyone associated with TNA, be it be MPs, senators, MCAs and other selected representatives will be coming,” said TNA’s executive director Joseph Mathai.
One of the issues to be discussed will be how to expand the party which was ranked the most popular in an opinion poll last month.
Raila strikes deal on ODM party elections - Politics - nation.co.ke'Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinions without the discomfort of thought.' - JFK -
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Namwamba, Joho team shakes up ODM polls
Team Ababu Namwamba, candidate for the ODM secretary General seat, led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (r) arrive in Kisumu on Tuesday to a rousing welcome where they met delegates ahead of the ODM party elections slated for February 28, 2014.
By ISAAC ONGIRI
In Summary
- On the floor of the NDC, the group intends to challenge a decision by the National Governing Council last week to increase the positions of deputy party leader to two.
- Tuesday, Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadegu, a member of the Joho team, pointedly wondered when the party will advertise the positions it created last week.
- Kajiado Central MP Joseph Nkaissery said delegates should put in place a strong team of leaders serious enough to marshal the country into supporting Mr Odinga to victory in the next elections.
A three-man group is reshaping the Orange Democratic Movement’s leadership race and forcing the party establishment to compromise.
The trio of Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and Turkana governor Josphat Nanok have launched a spirited, airborne campaign that has taken the party by surprise, with only two days to the National Delegates Convention.
This has compelled the party leader, Mr Raila Odinga, thought to have preferred nominated senator Agnes Zani, to adopt a safer, more neutral position before rival camps clash during Friday’s elections.
The Joho group has been flying to different parts of the country in three helicopters to campaign among delegates.
Tuesday, they were in Kisumu, Eldoret and Kakamega and are expected to wind up their countryside campaigns Wednesday.
On the floor of the NDC, the group intends to challenge a decision by the National Governing Council last week to increase the positions of deputy party leader to two.
On the agenda, delegates will first endorse the creation of new offices before proceeding to the elect office holders.
Tuesday, Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadegu, a member of the Joho team, pointedly wondered when the party will advertise the positions it created last week.
“We want clean elections. We know the positions that were vacant, which people applied for, and we are now wondering when the party is going to advertise the new positions it created the other day. We are focused on the seats officially advertised,” Mr Mwadegu said.
He argued that Coast MPs resolved to support Mr Namwamba, rather than Dr Zani, one of their own, because they apparently wanted to create a lineup which reflected the true face of Kenya.
“We decided to support the group that reflected a true regional balance and one that is strong enough to move ODM forward. We think that with Joho, Namwamba, Nanok, Rosa Buyu, Ogari and Keynan, we are presenting a strong team that represents a true form of regional balance.”
ROBUST CAMPAIGN
Perhaps sensing the robust campaign the Joho group has launched days to the elections, Mr Odinga has softened his position and said he is ready to work with the ODM Young Turks in the leadership of the party.
“I am ready and willing to assist the young people in steering their leadership ambitions for this country,” Mr Odinga said.
He added that time to give the young minds a chance to fulfil their leadership ambitions had come.
“It is not only right, but also important as a country to allow the youths to lead as we are headed for radical changes in the coming electioneering periods,” he said.
As a result, he challenged the old guard who had held numerous positions in the party not to feel threatened by the young ambitious minds, but instead welcome dialogue and cooperation with the youth.
“The youth will not only bring fresh energy in governance, but also fuel the ambition to fulfil greater dreams and goals, which are very vital to this country’s growth,” Mr Odinga said.
The Mombasa governor, who is running for Deputy Party leader, has pulled a strong team of candidates to his side.
In the team are Mr Nanok (chairman), Bomachoge MP Simon Ogari (treasurer), Aldas MP Aden Keynan (vice-chairman), Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga (deputy organising secretary).
Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura (deputy secretary-general) and Suleiman Ndori (deputy organising secretary).
Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, Kajiado Central MP Joseph Nkaissery and former assistant minister John Keen are also backing the Joho-Namwamba team.
They are facing a camp gravitating around Nominated Senator Zani, who is aiming for the secretary-general’s post. This camp has Funyula MP Paul Otuoma (chairman), Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya (deputy party leader), Timothy Bosire (treasurer), and George Aladwa (organising secretary).
Kajiado Central MP Joseph Nkaissery said delegates should put in place a strong team of leaders serious enough to marshal the country into supporting Mr Odinga to victory in the next elections.
“The team we want to put together is one that can lead the party into an election victory in 2017 and we believe the Joho team is the right one to do this job for us,” Mr Nkaissery said.
Mr Joho was apparently, upset by the decision to increase the number of seats, which meant that the powers for the deputy Party Leader will be diluted.
Last week, ODM’s national governing council (NGC) adopted the proposal to have two deputy party leaders, two vice-chairpersons, two deputy secretaries-general, two deputy treasurers and two deputy organizing secretaries.
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