November 26, 2014 - Today's News In Gazetikenya

Raila in fresh drive to stop 

ODM fallout

PARTY POLITICS | Orengo among top politicians who have held talks with party leader to forestall fall-out

The ODM leader was expected to meet Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who have both announced that they will not take up their positions as proposed at the Naivasha retreat. Mr Odinga is said to have been surprised by the reaction of some of his key allies who addressed a news conference in Nairobi during which they expressed their reservations about the sharing of the seats. Not take up posts Mr Oparanya, Dr Otuoma and Ms Mutua had said in a press statement that they would not take up the posts they had been proposed for. “It is our conviction that the manner in which the process was conducted does not reflect the will and the wishes of members of the ODM family,” they had said on Monday. Investigations by the Nation indicate that Mr Odinga’s protesting allies were concerned about the powerful secretary general’s position being given to Mr Namwamba, whom they consider a rebel. “We have made it clear that we cannot accept an arrangement of this nature,” Dr Otuoma said yesterday. “We have to conduct proper elections and allow our genuine party members to participate in electing the new leadership. That (other) formula is a sham and we have said No to it.” He urged Mr Odinga to invest in strategies that would make the party more vibrant instead of succumbing to what he described as “blackmail from one lost sheep”. He said he had not been approached by the party leader over his decision to turn down the position to which he was proposed. “No one has talked to me. We have given them back the positions and they can distribute them to those who want them.” Dr Otuoma, who is from Busia, has been Mr Namwamba’s opponent and views the elevation of the youthful legislator as a slap in the face. Mr Orengo, who had stepped out of the race for a national post ahead of the aborted February 28 party elections, led a group of Mr Odinga’s supporters at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi on Monday to discuss the list before announcing they would not recognise it. ODM insiders told the Nation that the Siaya senator had on Thursday last week advised against the new line-up and tried to plead with Mr Odinga to delay discussions on party elections until next year but failed. Yesterday, Mr Mohammed said he met Mr Odinga over the dispute and that he had raised concerns over some of the individuals whose loyalty to the party he questioned.

Gazeti Kenya

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