Some leaders have dismissed as premature the debate within ODM over Raila Odinga succession.
Raila wants to be the African Union Commission chairman, raising questions about who will take over the leadership of the party from him.
This has caused rivalry between the two ODM deputy party leaders former governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega). Ugunja MP and Minority leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi is also eyeing the position.
On Friday, a group of ODM politicians termed the succession debate as premature on grounds that Raila was still in charge of the party.
They asked those pushing the agenda of succeeding Raila to go slow because there was no vacuum.
Party national chairman John Mbadi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino, James Nyikal (Seme) and Otiende Amolo (Rarieda) said the debate should instead focus on popularising ODM at the grassroots.
Mbadi said any talk of succeeding Raila at the moment amounts to disrespecting him.
“Let’s hold our horses and stop the debate of succession. It is premature, immoral and disrespectful for anyone to discuss taking over after Raila when he is still in charge of ODM,” Mbadi said.
Speaking during an educational symposium organised by Owino to promote education in Ndhiwa constituency, the politicians said ODM has no vacuum and nobody should cause confusion on the party leadership.
Mbadi urged all leaders who want positions in the ODM to wait for the party grassroots elections in the near future. Wandayi was present.
“Mobilise people to join ODM at the grassroots in impending elections for party to get strong. You’ll get support when the actual succession time comes,” Mbadi said.
Wanga compared those who want to succeed Raila to a woman who opts for another marriage because her husband has gone to look for a job elsewhere.
She asked those jostling to succeed Raila to wait because the ODM leader was still be around.
“People must be patient because even a woman cannot seek a new marriage because her husband has gone to look for a job somewhere. It’s too early to discuss succession in ODM,” Wanga said.
She said Raila will still be able to undertake his roles in the party even if he becomes the next AUC chairman.
“Addis Ababa is only two hours’ journey from Kenya. What we know is that Raila is still our leader and the succession politics is null and void,” she said.
Owino said nobody should do anything that can cause division in the party.
“What we want is unity as a party under the leadership of Raila. Let us all work hard towards ensuring that we are united for posterity,” Owino said.
Amolo described Raila’s succession politics to inhering a man’s property in his homestead while he is still alive.
“If a man leaves this village for a job in Nairobi, even his eldest son has no right to claim ownership of the homestead,” Amolo said.
Wandayi said that they are united under the ODM party.
“We are united in the ODM party and let us move together as a community,” Wandayi said.
