Jitters in ODM as aspirants flee party ahead of primaries
The Orange Democratic Movement is racing against time to contain imminent implosion as senior political figures abandon it in droves following fears they might not clinch the party’s ticket during next month’s nominations.
Despite ODM assuring aspirants of “free, fair and verifiable” primaries, more contestants continued to stream out claiming insincerity in the manner in which senior party officials were conducting themselves ahead of the nominations slated for mid-April.
The party has also not been clear on which mode of nominations they will adopt, making the situation dire with only five days to the deadline for party hopping.
Some officials have indicated the possibility of employing opinion polls to issue tickets escalating an already dicey situation over fears on the authenticity of the surveys. Beneficiaries of the intensifying uncertainty are parties within the Azimio-One Kenya movement that support the presidential candidature of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Yesterday, Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri was officially unveiled as a member of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) after leaving ODM in a huff following concerns the party could already have a preferred candidate for the governorship contest.
Ongeri, who was an ODM life member, was elected on the party ticket in the 2017 election and presently chairs the Senate County Public Accounts and Investments Committee courtesy of the party.
Inner circle
In the Kisii race, however, Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati appears to be the most-preferred aspirant within the party’s inner circles, triggering jitters among other contestants who are scampering for refuge elsewhere. Yesterday, Ongeri said he was the best among the aspirants to succeed Governor James Ongwae.
“I invite all governorship aspirants to meet in the field and I want them to show me their experience and I show them mine,” Ongeri told a rally at Senior Chief Musa Nyandusi Nyanturago Stadium in Nyaribari Chache constituency.
The Senator was accompanied by DAP-K leader Wafula Wamunyinyi and Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, the party’s patron. DAP-K, Kanu, Jubilee, PAA are some of the parties benefitting from the uncertainty around ODM’s primaries.
The Orange party is reeling from a fairly uneasy past where nominations have been tainted by underhand dealings, violence and rigging in favour of aspirants, especially those with a higher say within it.
For a while, party nominations have been ODM’s waterloo as bungled primaries have been blamed for the party’s failure to win majority seats in Parliament in the last two elections.
The party’s failure to win any parliamentary seat in the larger Gusii region in the 2017 elections was heavily linked to claims of tainted primaries.
It is a huge challenge that has shadowed ODM since 2013. Often, party leader Raila Odinga has been forced to address the concerns but his assurances have done little to assuage growing fears of similar occurrences happening this year.
The inability to switch parties after primaries have worsened the situation, as most aspirants fear their fate will be sealed once they subject themselves to an unfair process.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Philip Kutima has already bolted out of the party, blaming his boss, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, the ODM deputy leader, for frustrating his attempts to succeed him.
“I knew they wanted to humiliate me in ODM and that is why I moved to DAP-K,” said Kutima.
Fanatical following
Former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye also left the party for Jubilee last week and will face off with incumbent Joseph ole Lenku in the party’s primaries.
Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has also decamped although he did not reveal which party he is heading to.
He is seeking to recapture the seat he lost to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o in 2017.
“We are going to run in the Azimio. Take that to the bank,” he said but was cagey to reveal the party.
Former Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno has also left ODM in favour of Jubilee as he vies for Migori governorship.
And today, Mwatate MP Andrew Mwadime is expected to resign from ODM to join the Communist Party of Kenya, from which he will contest the position of governor, Taita Taveta County.
Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi also left the party, accusing it of fomenting dictatorship within its ranks. He went back to UDA.
“In ODM, the word democracy does not have space because the party leader makes all decisions without involving other members,” Maangi said.
In the Luo-Nyanza region where the party enjoys a fanatical following, several contestants are scratching their heads as they try to find comfort in other outfits after realising they might be subjected to an unfair process.
It has become clear that senior party officials favour Senator James Orengo and Eala MP Oburu Oginga for Siaya governor and senator seats, respectively.
The two long-serving ODM members have come under tough challenge for the tickets from fresh faces, who may now have to consider other options after the duo was endorsed by senior party mandarins.
Party chairman John Mbadi was last week quoted saying they had no doubts about Orengo and Oburu’s leadership credentials, noting that they will ensure they win in the nominations. “We won’t allow persons dishing money left and right to hijack the positions for they may betray and ruin Raila’s policies and ideologies,” said Mbadi, who by virtue of his position will play a role in the nominations.
Mbadi said some people claiming to be Raila’s die-hard supporters have in the past changed their minds upon being entrusted with powerful positions. “The two leaders that we are backing for the key positions have gone through lots of political suffering with Raila and hence deserve the seats so those competing for the posts should forget it,” he added.
Mbadi said Oburu has suffered politically, arguing that whenever Raila declares interest in the presidency the older brother is viewed as a spoiler when he expresses interest in a seat.
Nyong’o, a senior ODM member, also endorsed the two, saying Siaya would be transformed like Kisumu if Oburu and Orengo were elected. “For devolution to thrive in Siaya, voters must give Oburu and Orengo a chance to lead,” said Nyong’o.
ODM Secretary for Political Affairs and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi also asked those competing with them to consider quitting. “We have decided as leaders from Siaya to back Oburu and Orengo and whoever is going contrary must be prepared for a bruising battle. Let those candidates wait for plum jobs in Raila’s administration,” he added.
A second-term governor from the Western region known for his close ties with Raila was also said to have quietly “bought” a local briefcase party, through proxies, for fear that top officials at Chungwa House were plotting to tilt the party primaries in his opponent’s favour.
Yesterday, Mbadi sought to allay fears of bungled nominations, urging loyal aspirants to be calm, and promising credible primaries. “Everyone will have to go through the party primaries. We have repeatedly said so and I shudder why some people want to think otherwise. ODM will go for universal suffrage,” he declared.
Mbadi, who is also running for the Homa Bay governor seat, clarified that all aspirants, including himself, will face the people at the ballot.
“It is not going to be a race of the chosen few but a democratic-driven process with the veto power derived from the electorates,” he explained.
In Kwale, delegates urged the party’s officials to stop interfering with the forthcoming primaries. Speaking during a meeting in Diani, Douglas Mwembe, a delegate, said they must be left to make their own choices. In Homa Bay, Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwang’a want the party to carry out credible primaries.
Additional reporting by Robert Ochoro, Kepher Otieno, Munira Mandano and Noven Owiti
