NAIROBI, KENYA: ODM has convened a parliamentary group meeting tomorrow to step up efforts to build consensus among aspirants for various leadership positions ahead of elections.
Seated: Senators Otieno Kajwang’ (left), Agnes Zani (right) and MP Paul Otuoma with other leaders after meeting delegates from Bomet, Narok and Kericho counties Sunday in Bomet County. PHOTO: CHARLES NGENO/STANDARD
The meeting will also address grievances raised by Coast MPs, who last week threatened the party of dire political consequences if Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro is replaced as Minority Chief Whip.
Fifteen MPs from the region, who met party leader Raila Odinga last week, protested a move to relieve Mung’aro of his duties. Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nasir was touted to replace Mung’aro.
The meeting comes hot on the heels of fresh appeals by some party members to postpone the national elections set for February 28 and March 1. Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who quit the race for the deputy chairperson’s position, warned that the elections could plunge the party into chaos if the current divisions are not tackled.
“I plead with Raila to postpone the elections and ensure unity prevails before we elect the next officials. ODM is for all of us and we are in it to stay,” Kidero was quoted saying in Butere during a funeral.
But Sunday, ODM executive director Magerer Langat said the elections will go on as planned.
“Preparations are on course for the delegates conference and as of now, there are no plans to push forward or call off the elections, delegates will converge to elect the new leadership as scheduled,” Langattold The Standard.
Tomorrow’s meeting will also be briefed by a technical committee working on a new leadership structure to increase national slots from the current 26 to 31.
Last week, nine MPs from Nyanza called for the creation of a leadership structure that will accommodate ‘senior’ and valuable members.
REGIONAL BIGWIGS
“The Constitution is not cast in stone, what we are saying is that the party comes up with a leadership structure that will ensure both generational and geographical representation,” Gwassi MP John Mbadi said.
The committee has proposed the adoption of a leadership structure that was created in the run up to the 2007 General Election, which accommodated the party’s then regional bigwigs. The structure had two deputy party leaders (Musalia Mudavadi and William Ruto) and four deputy chairpersons.
By JAMES MBAKA, The Standard
