The Siaya senator is expected to chair the crucial
meeting tomorrow, with the top party brass scheduled to be in
attendance.
The crisis meeting follows an escalating political
standoff within the broad-based government, which has been touted as
threatening President William Ruto’s 2027 calculus.
ODM has accused its broad-based partner, the United
Democratic Alliance, of undermining them, threatening a walkout if its concerns
are not addressed.
Tensions escalated after National Assembly Minority
leader Junet Mohamed warned that ODM could walk out
of the arrangement if respect and mutual understanding are not upheld.
“There are people in government who are fighting
this union; we are in government by mistake. We joined to foster unity and
inclusivity,” Junet said.
His remarks have now been reinforced by ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga, who signalled that the party is
prepared to sacrifice its working relationship with UDA if it feels undermined.
Wanga cautioned that ODM will not hesitate to take
a firm stand, emphasising that the party’s participation in the broad-based
government should not be taken for granted.
Her remarks point to growing unease within the party ranks over how the coalition is being managed, way
before formal negotiations begin.
The Homa Bay governor also accused UDA of enticing their members to dump ODM and join the
ruling party in the 2027 election.
“We will defend and protect our party. That comes
first before anything else. So that our parliamentary strength is not reduced
even by an inch, that is how we shall proceed. Even if they have honey, let it
be,” Wanga said.
The emergency meeting, convened by Oburu, is
expected to chart the party’s next course of action amid widening cracks that
now threaten the stability of the working relationship.
“In fact, we were supposed to meet today (Tuesday),
but it was pushed to Thursday because some of the members were not around,” a
senior member of the party confirmed to
the Star.
The meeting is likely to determine whether the
party escalates its demands or opts to maintain the uneasy alliance.
President Ruto has, however, responded to ODM concerns,
saying his side is committed to a serious partnership going into the 2027 polls.
“We are strengthening the broad-based government through continuous consultation with
grassroots and elected leaders,” the head of state
tweeted on Monday.
“This keeps us in touch with the realities of our
fellow citizens, ensuring the decisions we make are shaped by the people.
“Our goal is to unite the country around a shared
agenda – the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda - and drive inclusive growth
where no Kenyan or region is left behind.”
For Ruto, the dispute presents a delicate balancing
act of managing coalition interests while keeping his Kenya Kwanza
administration intact.
However, the hardline stance taken by a section of
the ODM leaders has exposed internal divisions within the party itself, with a section of leaders downplaying the
threats and insisting the political outfit
remains firmly within the government.
The leaders argue that pulling out would be
politically costly and destabilising, urging restraint and dialogue instead.
ODM deputy leader and Kisii
Governor Simba Arati said that as ODM, they will work together with President
Ruto in line with the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wishes.
“As ODM, when Raila died, he left us in the hands
of President Ruto, and we will work together,” Arati said yesterday.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, weighing on the matter, said
he is unaware of the claims that UDA is forcing some of the ODM members to join the ruling outfit.
Nyamita said any leader, in choosing a political
vehicle, will instead be guided by the wishes of his or her people.
He also downplayed the threats to leave broad-based
as normal bargaining tactics.
“I don’t think so,” Nyamita responded when asked
about the possibility of the UDA-ODM union falling apart.
“I think what we are seeing is tough bargains on
the bride price. The union has so far delivered great progress for our people,
and we must ensure it gets better.”
His Gem counterpart, Elisha Odhiambo, told the Star
that ODM has no option but to back President Ruto’s reelection.
He termed the utterances of Junet and Wanga as
personal opinions, pointing out that only the party leader and the secretary general have the
mandate to state the party position.
“I don’t think there is any other candidate they
(ODM) have other than President William Ruto,” Odhiambo said.
The Gem lawmaker added that the party’s central
management committee should be able to make the party's decision clear when they
meet tomorrow.
“I hope that once the central committee meets, we
will be able to have a clear party position,” he stated.
The central committee is chaired by the party leader and will be
attended by deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nasir and Arati, chairperson
Wanga, acting secretary general Catherine
Omanyo and Timothy Bosire (Treasurer).
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi (organising
secretary), Junet (director of campaigns), youth leader John Ketora and his women counterpart, Senator Beth Syengo, and the leader of the ODM disability league,
Nickson Kakiri, are also expected at the meeting.
The meeting will also be attended by Kisumu MP Rosa
Buyu (secretary of political affairs) and three members appointed by the party
leader.
ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen is also part
of the meeting as an ex-officio member of
the top decision-making organ.
The Star has established that tomorrow’s meeting will also review the Sifuna removal case, even after the party directed that he appear
before the disciplinary committee on Monday next week.
“We will also receive a report on Sifuna. We will
either decide to discipline him or pardon him,” a member of the top
decision-making organ said in confidence. .
The Nairobi senator was to appear before the dreaded disciplinary team
on Friday last week, but failed to show up and instead moved to the Political
Parties Dispute Tribunal to challenge the process.
The disciplinary last
week gave Sifuna time to prepare his defence after he requested the party to
give him 14 more days.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
As political temperatures keep on rising ahead of
the decisive 2027 election, the outcome of ODM’s internal deliberations could
have far-reaching implications for the future of the broad-based government and
the country’s political landscape.
