Wanjala Danson
ODM party which has enjoyed a larger influence in formal western region has been shaken with some western politicians quitting the party to join Jubilee and other threatening to form their own party.
This has seen ODM put up several measures to reclaim its support in the vote-rich region by absolving some politicians into the party and organizing rallies across western counties and planning a series of activities in the region to counter the rebels.
This include touring Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega counties where he will hold public rallies, delegates’ meeting and opening ODM offices.
Nine ODM Western leaders led by Otuoma and Namwamba issued a stinging criticism of the party’s leadership regarding a wide range of issues, including sidelining of other leaders, poor co-ordination and lack of respect by colleagues from Nyanza region.
On the other hand former ODM national youth league Chairman Rashid Mohammed stated youths feel sidelined and are considering supporting another party.
“We are concerned the same frustrations party secretary general Ababu Namwamba is being subjected to is what Deputy President William Ruto and Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi were subjected to until they left,” Mohammed said in Kakamega last months.
The ODM Bungoma County Orange Democratic (ODM) party Chair and Sirisia MP John Walukhe has also resigned reducing ODM politicians in the region accusing party of sidelining western leaders.
However, Namwamba has insisted that the ODM Secretary General position remained vacant and that he did not have to write a letter to declare his resignation since he had already announced in public rallies.
“There is no doubt that I am no longer the Secretary General of ODM, let the party take note. I have relinquished the position of Secretary General. Those are matters of the past,” said Namwamba.
The ODM’s National Executive Council (NEC) appointed Nominated Senator Agnes Zani as the acting Secretary General to take over Namwamba’s position.
This after the party gave Namwamba’s seven days to resume duty as Secretary General or officially communicate his decision to resign from the party.
“Ababu has been absent from the party for several weeks and has been quoted making pronouncements not communicated to the party. NEC is giving him 7 days to resume duty or formally communicate his decision to the party,” stated a statement read by Senator Agnes Zani.
NEC furthermore adopted a proposal by the Central Committee of the party meeting held on Tuesday this week to reconstitute a new board to oversee party elections and nominations of ODM.
Members of the new board include Robert Arunga , Norah Anindo, Ibrahim Rashid Ahmed , Edward Dzila Nyale and Judith Pareno as the Chairperson .
The National Elections Board was disbanded in April this year.
On the other side, the Jubilee coalition has in recent past made several visits to Western Kenya region with pledges to set up development in the region.
This includes bailing out the troubled Mumias Sugar Company , pledging to revive the fallen Pan Paper factor and awarding government jobs to former MP and ministers which seen Jubilee again support by local politicians