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PM challenged to address party members’ grudges

Details

Published on Monday, 05 December 2011 19:15

The just-concluded ODM grassroots elections seem to have bruised many followers, giving the party leader and Prime Minister Raila Odinga an extra duty to unite dissenting members.

Political analysts say the PM has a challenge to unite his Nyanza Province stronghold first, before even moving elsewhere to heal sustained wounds.

The party standing was worsened by a loss in the recent Kitutu Masaba by-election where its candidate Timothy Bosire emerged second after PNU’s Walter Nyambati, who was the immediate former holder.

ODM lost the seat even after the PM had visited the constituency alongside other key ODM leaders from the region to campaign for Bosire.

There is a general feeling on the ground that the PM must seek to heal wounds sustained in both Luo and Kisii Nyanza to enable him win support from other parts of the country in his third presidential bid, next year.

Raila came third in his first bid in 1997 (after Daniel arap Moi of Kanu and Mwai Kibaki of DP), and in his second attempt in 2007, the PM came second after Kibaki.

Critics say ODM’s failure to win two by-elections in the province — South Mugirango and Kitutu Masaba — indicated its waning popularity, especially in Kisii Nyanza.

Business unusual

Nyambati says his win was a show ODM has lost support in Kisii and a proof the era when political parties dictated leaders to be elected is gone.

"I want to assure ODM it will never be business as usual in the general election, here. Kisii is no longer in its grasp," says Nyambati.

His sentiments are echoed by Stephen Nyarangi, whose Peoples Democratic Party is working closely with G7 alliance and PNU.

"Despite getting huge support in the 2007 General Election, Raila forgot the community. The G7 alliance is now gathering support here," said Nyarangi.

During the party grassroots polls, several high profile names including ministers and MPs lost in various posts at branch and sub-branch levels, in elections marred with protests and violence.

MPs Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), Simon Ogari (Bomachoge), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), Ochieng Daima (Nyakach) and John Mbadi (Gwasi) found themselves at the centre of ugly scenes during the elections.

In Homa Bay town, for instance, Ogindo’s bodyguard was forced to shoot in the air to rescue the MP from angry crowds before he was whisked away by Administration Police officers.

The party was also forced to order repeat polls in various sub-branches but still some members remain dissatisfied with the elections.

In Bomachoge, the party elections board ordered a repeat after two rival camps — one affiliated to assistant minister for Transport Simon Ogari and the other to city lawyer Joash Maangi — held separate polls and declared themselves winners.

Ogari kept off the repeat exercise maintaining he was the duly elected sub-branch chairman as he accused the returning officer of being compromised.

Maangi was elected unopposed in the repeat elections and Ogari’s camp was locked out of the Kisii County branch polls.

"It looks like genuine complaints were disregarded by the board. The PM should realise ODM is a party we love and correct the situation. Those behind this will be responsible for the collapse of the party in Kisii," said Ogari.

He said most Gusii leaders in ODM were disgruntled with the manner in which the elections were conducted.

Former Bomachoge MP Zephaniah Anyieni expressed his disappointment, "I fought tirelessly to bring ODM to Kisii but it seems some people are conspiring to kill it by disregarding our concerns. This is a pointer to the woes affecting the party."

Anyieni accused Public Works minister Chris Obure of trying to impose leaders in ODM sub-branches in Kisii. Obure was elected Kisii branch chair through consensus and exuded confidence ODM was still stable in the region contrary to the views of "a few".

Party unity

"This poll was a chance to lay a foundation for our party. The new officeholders will further strengthen the party and ensure we form the next Government. We are ready to listen to all to build the party," says Obure.

On the claims made by Mogunde and Anyieni, Obure said elections must have losers and called on them to join hands for the sake of the party unity.

"Our task as the new NEC is to reconcile all members and bring them on board as all constituencies are represented. I had nothing to do with developments in Bomachoge or any other sub-branch," he says.

The minister denied he was seeking election as party national treasurer in the forthcoming national elections.

South Mugirango ODM branch chairman Gideon Moreka says the party has 90 per cent support among the youth in the region and there was no cause for alarm.

Losers in the game

"Raila is still a strong candidate in Kisii and the elections were meant to give those with the party matters at heart a chance to lead," says Moreka.

ODM’s Kisii County co-ordinator Geoffrey Mogire dismisses those crying foul that the elections were unfair.

He says some leaders had failed to popularise the party at the grassroots yet they wanted to deny others a chance.

In Luo Nyanza region, most of the MPs had a rough time against their opponents, with some only managing to be elected as delegates.

However, there are those who even failed to be elected at all, with parallel lists being a common feature in several constituencies.

Violence was experienced in Nyando and Nyakach constituencies where claims of doctored results were made while in Rangwe, there were ugly scenes over list of delegates.

Analysts feel with the battle lines for parliamentary, senate and governor positions in the six counties drawn, emerging differences could divide the party unless checked in good time.