Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is also ODM's party leader (centre), accompanied by other top brass, during the National Governing Council meeting at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, November 26th, 2010. He dared party rebels to quit the party. STEPHEN MUDIARI
By LUCAS BARASAPosted Friday, November 26 2010 at 11:39
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dared Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rebels to leave the party with the rider that they will be replaced immediately.
He put the renegades, widely seen to be led by Eldoret North MP William Ruto, on notice saying they will not be allowed to hold ODM to ransom while weakening it from within.
Without naming names, the ODM leader warned the want-away MPs that the party has the numbers to replace them.
"ODM members are many, if one wants to go let him go. Orange members cannot be intimidated or shaken," Mr Odinga said during the party's National Governing Council at the Bomas of Kenya Friday.
He announced that ODM will kick off its grassroots polls in January, which will see rebel MPs been replaced in a bid to strengthen the party ahead of 2012 General Election.
Likening ODM to a lion amid chants of "ODM chungwa" and "ODM maisha bora." Mr Odinga said the effort to rebuild the party will see those who have said they want to leave being replaced immediately.
"We want to look forward and reenergise the party. If we remain united no one will defeat us."
Mr Ruto, who is ODM's deputy leader, has sought to oppose Mr Odinga and by extension the Orange party at every turn.
Last month, his supporters threatened to walk out of ODM and join another party that will be Mr Ruto's vehicle in the next polls.
He led a group of MPs, mainly from the Rift Valley in opposing the new Constitution, which culminated in him leading a No vote at the August 4 referendum. However, the Yes camp led by Mr Odinga and President Kibaki carried the day.
The rebels have also locked horns with the ODM leadership over efforts to reclaim the Mau Forest.
Mr Ruto has also disagreed with Mr Odinga on whether post election violence should be tried by a local tribunal or the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.
The Eldoret North has accused Mr Odinga of being behind his woes regarding his suspension from the Cabinet as Higher Education minister and the ICC process.
He recently declared that he would not be cowed by his political detractors' effort to derail his quest for the presidency.
“I shall overcome all the challenges and I intend to use the obstacles as stepping stones to improve my political standing ahead of the next General Election,” Mr Ruto said on Saturday at St Mary’s Mabera Girls Secondary School in Kuria West District during a fundraiser.
The Ruto group includes Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto, Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Zakayo Cheruyiot (Kuresoi), Charles Keter (Belgut), Linah Kilimo (Marakwet East), Moses Lessonet (Eldama Ravine), Lucas Chepkitony (Keiyo North), Benjamin Lang’at (Ainamoi) and Dr Julius Kones (Konoin).
Mr Odinga also hit out at Mr Ruto for going round the country thanking people for opposing the new Constitution "while he was defeated".
The PM said although it was the democratic right of those opposed to the new law to do so others had no reason and engaged in mere propaganda.
He said ODM was the most popular party in the country and the remained the one to beat in 2012.
Mr Odinga signalled major changes in the party to replace the old guard at the secretariat, saying the coming polls will focus on bringing on board the youth and women to the party's leadership.
"We must create space for youth in our party.
"We should also allow participation of women in the affairs of our party at all levels and organs to meet the changing political and demographic environment. We want to rejuvenate and revamp the party in readiness for 2012," he said.
The Premier the new Constitution was ODMs' dream and promise come true and thus the party's big task now is to ensure its implementation
He told ODM MPs to forge alliance with their PNU counterparts for its success.
Earlier, Mr Odinga, in his written speech, had described the disagreement in ODM and coalition as healthy and normal since members come from diverse experiences and backgrounds.
"Disagreements must never ruin our party or our government. We must cultivate a culture of trust, respect, and a willingness to find solutions together.
"On matters of great national interest, our approach has been, and shall continue to be, that whatever is good for Kenya is good for ODM," he said.
The PM said ODM had done well since the formation of the coalition government, that it has maintained its parliamentary strength and defended its seats in by-elections successfully.
"It's only in South Mugirango that we lost a seat but we had earlier gained Bomachoge and won the Wajir North seat where the 2007 elections produced a tie. We have recently successfully defended Starehe and in that regard we can take pride in keeping our party alive despite many odds."
Mr Odinga added that efforts to conserve the environment have also started to bear fruits as rivers are beginning to flow where they were drying.
"Forests are also getting regenerated where they were once getting slashed and burnt," he said.
He said progress has also been made in efforts to reform the judiciary, police, civil service, land and parliament.
The PM, however, said the coalition had performed dismally in poverty, equality, and regional imbalances as spelt out in the reform agenda.
"We committed as a party to ensure equity and balance are attained in development across all regions including in job creation, poverty reduction, improved income distribution and gender equity. A lot of work remains to be done."
He said ODM is committed to transparency, accountability and ending impunity.
"The party also supports the war on corruption including economic crimes and the culture of impunity," Mr Odinga said.
The meeting was attended by among others, ODM's deputy leader Musalia Mudavadi, party chairman Henry Kosgey, secretary general Anyang' Nyong'o, organising secretary Hassan Joho and pentagon member Najib Balala.
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