Marende, Otuoma to vie for ODM chairmanship

Orange Democratic Movement secretary general Anyang Nyong'o Right, party leader Raila Odinga (centre) and other party members address the press after a closed-door meeting at Orange headquarters in Nairobi on January 7, 2013. BILLY MUTAI 

In Summary

• Mr Odinga, who chaired the NEC at Orange House in Nairobi, was non-committal or whether he would defend his position as Party Leader or not but so far no one has emerged to challenge him for the seat.
• Incumbent Anyang Nyong’o said he is still consulting after being away for some time but sources said he will most likely not defend his seat.
• Mombasa governor whose Coast region has been wavering with some leaders leaning towards

By LUCAS BARASA
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It will be an all-out fight between two western Kenya titans for the ODM chairmanship in the elections slated for February.

It emerged during a National Executive Committee chaired by Party Leader Raila Odinga that only former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende and Paul Otuoma had expressed interest to succeed former Cabinet Minister Henry Kosgey as ODM chairman.

The vice-chair position has attracted the highest number of candidates.

Parliamentary Investment Committee chairman Adan Keynan is to battle it out with MPs Manson Nyamweya, Milly Odhiambo, Dalmas Otieno, Senators Otieno Kajwang, Janet Ong'era and governors Evans Kidero and Josphat Nanok.

(Read: Factions emerge ahead of ODM polls as party officials cry foul)

Senators Agnes Nzani, Elizabeth Ongoro, James Orengo and MPs Nicholas Gumbo, John Mbadi and Ken Obura are to fight it out for the secretary general’s slot.

Incumbent Anyang Nyong’o said he is still consulting after being away for some time but sources said he will most likely not defend his seat.

MPs Abdikadir Aden, Simon Ogari Timothy Bosire and Omondi Anyanga are to square it out to be in control of ODM’s purse.

Former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa and MPs Junet Mohammed and Opiyo Wandai want the Organising Secretary position.

PARTY LEADER’S POSITION

On Tuesday, Mr Odinga who chaired the NEC at Orange House in Nairobi was non-committal or whether he would defend his position as Party Leader or not but so far no one has emerged to challenge him for the seat.

Mr Odinga is hoping to vie for the presidency for the fourth time in 2017 after claiming he won but his votes were stolen in 2007 and 2013.

(Read: Raila claims he won elections)

Mombasa governor whose Coast region has been wavering with some leaders leaning towards Jubilee has expressed interest for the deputy Party Leader position.

The deputy Party Leader’s position has been vacant since UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President William Ruto severed links with ODM.






Mr Mudavadi was ODM’s First Deputy Leader while Mr Ruto was second before falling out with Mr Odinga.

More than 4600 delegates are to meet in Nairobi in February to elect new leaders for the party, which was once rated as the most popular in the country.

The NDC comprises ODM MPs and senators, governors and their deputies, 20 members from each county, eight executive members from sub-branches and 20 women and a similar number of youth representatives.

Mr Odinga has urged the youth to vie for positions during the polls instead of waiting on the fence only to complain that they had been sidelined.

ODM has said it wants to use the elections to inject fresh blood in the running of the party and help consolidate its support in readiness for the next elections.

A number of the party MPs have expressed interest of working with Jubilee since ODM lost the last elections, threatening to weaken it.