Pushing the move were Nairobi ODM delegates led by Makadara
MP George Aladwa.
Aladwa said consultations over the past two months culminated in the
decision to front Winnie Odinga, citing the need to fill a leadership gap in
the capital.
“We have had several meetings in the last two months to look for a
representative. Every region has representation in the party. Former Prime
Minister Raila Odinga left us with no representative in the Nairobi
region,” Aladwa said.
“We as 17 constituencies in Nairobi county have proposed to have our EALA lawmaker Winnie Odinga to represent us as deputy party leader,” he added.
Winnie’s prospects of becoming ODM’s deputy party leader are however hanging in the balance following emerging interests especially from
Western bigwigs laying claim to the job.
A section of ODM leaders from Western Kenya is said to be
quietly lobbying for one of their own to take up the position following the ejection of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi’s
position.
Osotsi was dropped during the recent Special Delegates
Convention (SDC) after he failed to attend the meeting and no delegate proposed
or seconded his nomination.
Osotsi hails from Western region.
The firebrand lawmaker has made it clear he will not contest
his ‘removal’ in courts opening up the influential party position for contest.
“Although I have strong legal grounds to challenge the
decision in court, I have made a conscious decision not to pursue litigation,
choosing instead to dedicate my time and energy to advancing the true ideals of the party," Osotsis told the Star.
National Assembly Minority leader and ODM Secretary for
Elections Junet Mohammed has indicated the party is planning a NEC meeting to
settle on a replacement.
“We will soon convene as NEC to settle on a name before the nominee
can be appointed by the National Governing Council (NGC),” Junet said adding
that several individuals have shown interest for the seat.
Once the NEC and NGC approves the name, the party will then
convene National Delegates Convention (NDC) to formally elect the nominee.
According to the ODM’s constitution, only the NDC has the
constitutional mandate to elect the national office.
Among those seen as front runners are Governors Paul Otuoma (Busia)
and Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), both of whom are reportedly enjoying strong
backing from influential figures in the region.
The jostling has complicated earlier plans by the ODM
Nairobi branch, which had proposed Winnie Odinga for the deputy party leader
position in a move seen as consolidating the Odinga family’s influence within
the party.
The push by Western leaders is driven by a desire to secure
regional balance and strengthen the party’s footing in its traditional support
bases.
The leaders argue that awarding the position to one of their
own would solidify ODM’s presence in Western Kenya and block rivals including the ODM rebel faction, Linda Mwanainchi, from penetrating the area.
The unfolding contest now threatens to derail Winnie’s
elevation, even as observers caution that the party should close its ways to
ethnic and regional consideration and uphold vibrancy.
Ex-political detainee and former ODM Director of Political
Affairs and Strategy Wafula Buke warned the party against falling to regional
balance and sacrificing what can work for the twenty-year-old political outfit.
“If we think about possibility of resurrecting the party
then the best person they have is the person who will stand on the moral pillar
of Raila Odinga, a person who will associate with liberal thinking and someone
who has an organic connection with the young people, it does not matter that Winnie
is a Luo,” Buke told the Star.
“Winnie is the best representation of architect for resurrections,
because she has connection with the living organ of the party which is those
younger people. They should not worry about the fact she is a Luo.”
“It looks nice to have Barasa or Otuoma but they don’t add
any value to the party.”
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai said Barasa fits the bill as the
party already has Catherine Omanyo acting as Secretary General.
Omanyo is from Busia where Governor Otuoma comes from.
“The fact that the Secretary General now comes from Busia,
it will not be fair to take the seat to Busia, it will only be fair to take the
seat to Kakamega,” Alai told the Star on phone.
“If you were to check the current front runners, Barasa is
better. He has stood with the party and will be very rewarding to give it to
Barasa.”
Political commentator Suba Churchill also agrees, saying the
stars are aligned for Kakamega which currently has no representation in the
national office.
“I think, of course, parties would want regional balance and
ensure presence in all the counties. The focus for Western Kenya where Osotsi
comes from is understandable within that regard,” Chrchill told the Star.
“I would, for purposes of fair distribution of the positions
and in view of the fact that two of the most party officials are from Western -
Osotsi is from Vihiga, Sifuna from Bungoma and Omanyo from Busia - it will make a lot of
sense to go with Barasa.”
“Stakes are higher in Kakamega given its population and
being one of the strongholds of ODM party. If ODM wanted to Linda Ground then
that interest is best observed if they gave it Barasa.”
The Star made efforts to reach out to both Otuoma and Barasa
but they did not respond top our inquiries.
ODM leader Oburu Oginga is said to be at the centre of
efforts to harmonise competing interests and avert a fallout that could expose
cracks within the party.
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