• Siaya Senator was quoted as suggesting that Raila and Uhuru are working on a plan that will see them work together in the next election
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The orange party has dismissed claims that its leader Raila Odinga is crafting an alliance with President Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Orange Democratic Movement chairman John Mbadi said such a decision cannot be made without consulting party members through its organs.
The Suba South MP said the party has not entered any agreement or negotiations with anyone or any political entity with regard to the 2022 vote.
“Our party has processes. Even where our party leader gets to negotiate or discuss with any political grouping or leader, he has always reported to the party organs,” he said.
The remarks followed media reports quoting Siaya Senator James Orengo as suggesting that Raila and Uhuru are working on a plan that will see them work together in 2022.
The two ended their 2017 poll dispute through the handshake at Harambee House, Nairobi, on March 9, last year.
Orengo, according to the media reports, said ODM is going for political power and has been holding meetings to plan for 2022.
“The contestation for power is going to come from a formation with ODM in it and formation of Jubilee where Uhuru Kenyatta is playing a role,” the legislator said, alluding to a four-hour meeting with the President at State House.
But Mbadi said Orengo’s views should be treated as personal and that the party will make public any dealings with any party or persons it seeks to work with during the next election.
“It is not in doubt that as a party we will participate in the 2022 election. As to who we will work with, we still don’t know. It is premature for anybody to purport to be speaking for ODM with regard to any arrangement with any party.”
The remarks have put to light, the internal differences that have rocked ODM since the handshake.
Mbadi insisted that the party is against early campaigns. It cannot therefore be in the business of crafting alliances, he said.