Coast split in battle for ODM posts

PHOTO | FILE Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho (centre) is joined by other leaders from the Coast in cutting a cake to mark the Kenya@50 celebrations in Mombasa. Joho will be vying for the deputy party leader's position in the upcoming ODM election. 

In Summary

• Those expected to be on the ballot include Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho (deputy party leader), Nominated Senator Agnes Zani (secretary-general) and Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori for deputy organising secretary.
• Mr Orengo at the same time dismissed claims that he had differed with Cord leader Raila Odinga over the post.

By NATION TEAM
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Coast leaders affiliated to ODM are wrangling over who to support among those from the region seeking various posts in party elections in February.

Those expected to be on the ballot include Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho (deputy party leader), Nominated Senator Agnes Zani (secretary-general) and Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori for deputy organising secretary.

But apparent divisions threaten the chances of the three aspirants at the National Delegates’ Conference to be held in Nairobi. MPs Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale) and Aisha Jumwa Katana (Kilifi) have had to come out strongly and deny they support Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro (Nairobi) for the secretary-general’s post instead of one of their own.

Meanwhile, ODM politicians from Luo Nyanza on Saturday maintained their demand that the powerful post of secretary-general must remain in the region.

The MPs spoke even as Siaya Senator James Orengo declared that he was no longer interested in the seat occupied by his Kisumu counterpart Anyang’ Nyong’o.

DISMISSED CLAIMS

Mr Orengo at the same time dismissed claims that he had differed with Cord leader Raila Odinga over the post.

“All this hullaballoo that I am interested in the party’s leadership is a creation of people willing to create a wedge between me and Raila. I have never expressed interest in the secretary general’s position,” said Mr Orengo.

But speaking in Ndhiwa, seven ODM MPs insisted that the post must go to Luo Nyanza, which they said was the party’s stronghold.

The MPs included Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Ken Okoth (Kibra), David Ochieng (Ugenya), Onyango Sele (Kabondo-Kasipul) and Augustino Neto (Ndhiwa). The MPs spoke during the funeral of Mr Neto’s step-mother.

The group which has been pushing for generational change in the party also criticised Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ who supports the view that the post should go elsewhere.

Mr Orengo’s sentiments were backed by Dr Oburu Oginga who said that the Siaya Senator had never expressed interest in the position.