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Raila faces trouble in sharing cosmopolitan seats

Powerful people want seats to be in national negotiation; one politico jumps the gun.

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by POLITICAL DESK

Coast14 November 2021 - 12:46
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In Summary


• Opposing camps scuffle at Western hotel as allies of a county boss evict perceived 'spies' of his rival. Melee in meeting room, reception and restaurant.

• Newly appointed parastatal head terminates lucrative tender of a firm linked to a parliamentary committee chairman

ODM leader Raila Odinga addresses members from Marsabit, Mandera, Tharaka Nithi and Narok counties who joined the party on September 3.

Trouble is looming in a cosmopolitan area for ODM party leader Raila Odinga (pictured) on the sharing of political seats. Why? Some powerful people want the seats to be part of national negotiations to be determined when the presidential candidate and his running mate are being announced. However, there is a politician seen to be a performer who is already forging ahead with his campaigns. However, hurdles are being placed in the politician's way for jumping the gun. Some have openly asked the politico to first 'deliver' his relative to work with the Orange Party as part of his commitment to get the high-profile job. Only time will tell how seats are shared.

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A recently appointed head of a moneyed parastatal has run into problems with a powerful parliamentary committee. The man has reportedly ordered the termination of a multi-billion shilling contract awarded to a firm linked to the chair of the committee. It was not immediately clear whether the new agency boss was aware of the links between the committee chairman and the company awarded the tender. Corridors understands that the committee is said to be planning to summon the officer. Insiders say the panel could force the man out of the lucrative job if he does not rescind his decision.

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Some first-term governors who are facing stiff competition from their predecessors are under siege. The predecessors have in the last two weeks held talks with a prominent politico. The governors have too been backing the big man. However, a mere meting seems to have triggered panic within the camps of governors, some of whom are now said to be exploring other options. One is said to be considering a political party with roots in Western Kenya. The other is yet to make his intentions known. Whether the political gamble will payoff, only time will tell.

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Guests at a hotel in Western Kenya were treated to drama as allies of a governor from the region forcefully evicted several people they accused of working for rivals of the county boss. Those shown the door included party and county officials and aspirants eying ward seats come 2022. The meeting had just started when chaos erupted in the conference room before spilling into the reception area and the main restaurant. Some diehard supporters of the governor vowed not to allow “spies” in the meeting. Normal activities at the hotel were interrupted for almost an hour as opposing camps scuffled.

(Edited by V. Graham)

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