ODM recommends loyalists, former MPs for Speaker posts

Fallen politicians and party loyalists are likely to be major beneficiaries as the ODM party embarks on making recommendations for the powerful County Assemblies Speaker positions.

The Orange party had on Thursday embarked on directing party officials in Assemblies it has control over on their favorites for the crucial docket.

The letters signed by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna are also copied to the respective Governors and all MPs-elect in the counties.

By Thursday, the party had proposed former Ganze MP Teddy Mwabire for the Kilifi County Speaker – Mwabire is the current ODM county chairman.

“As we proceed to consolidate our gains, the party hereby wishes to convey its recommendation of Teddy Mwambire, immediate former MP for Ganze constituency for the role of the Speaker of the County Assembly of Kilifi,” Sifuna said in a letter dated August 25.

“Mwambire needs no introduction to you, and we know you share in our belief that he is more than qualified for the role.”

Sources at Orange House told the Star the recommendation letters were dispersed on Thursday to the respective county assemblies where the Party is the majority.

Azimio La Umoja controls 24 County Assemblies out of the 47 Assemblies followed by Kenya Kwanza which has a grip on 21 county assemblies.

“By the weekend, we shall have communicated to all the 24 counties where we have control,” a source aware of the happenings told the Star.

In Nairobi, ODM has settled on its Legal Director Antony Moturi for the powerful Speaker’s position and will be relying on Azimio numbers to push for his candidature.

Moturi is an advocate of the High Court and enjoys good rapport within Azimio affiliate parties.

Out of 85 Wards, Azimio clinched 45 seats with two Wards set to go for by-elections on Monday. Kenya kwanza is controlling 37 Wards.

Some quarters were however pushing for ex-County Assembly deputy speaker Ken Ngondi for the Speaker’s job.

ODM is riding on Azimio's pre-election that allocated the party both Senate, Women Rep and Speaker’s positions.

“The position of county speaker was reserved for a member of the ODM party. At the appropriate time we will convene the Azimio team in the assembly to caucus because right now our focus is on the Petition in the Supreme Court, Kakamega and Mombasa,” Sifuna told the Star on phone.

In the deal, the City governor and deputy governor went to Jubilee and Wiper respectively.