ODM ready to elect new branch officials

By STEPHEN MAKABILA
Campaigns for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)’s grassroots and branch elections scheduled for early next month are gaining momentum, with potential candidates scheming ahead.
The expected elections will see the country’s most dominant political party heavily restructured, with the 210 branches replaced by 47 branches modelled on the boundaries of the 47 counties propsed under the new Constitution.
The hottest contests are expected in populous branches such as Nairobi, Kakamega, Kisumu and Mombasa. Tough contests are also expected in Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori branches, where the party enjoys unrivalled popularity due to the influence of its leader, Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In Nairobi, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo told The Standard he was preparing to seek election as chairman of the branch, which currently has eight constituencies.
"We are not taking any chances. Elections begin in early February and I am organising my team to contest and be elected the city branch chairman when dates are finally set," said Ndolo, who is a close Raila ally.
Strong candidate
In Ndolo’s team is Makadara branch Secretary Vincent Juma, who is angling to take over as the new Makadara sub-branch chairman come the elections.
Mr Juma said Ndolo was a strong candidate to champion the party’s interests in the city ahead of next year’s General Election.
In Kakamega, which has nine constituencies, reports indicate Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya is eyeing the branch chairmanship slot.
Across in the Busia branch, Sports Minister Paul Otuoma and Assistant Minister Sospeter Ojaamong are both said to be interested in the branch chairmanship, as Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba angles for a national position.
Others interested include Lugari politician Evans Musungu and a Nairobi-based law lecturer hailing from Mumias constituency.
"Leaders in Vihiga County are awaiting a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to know how branch positions can be equally shared among Vihiga, Emuhaya, Hamisi and Sabatia constituencies," said ODM national Youth leader Ben Ombima, who hails from Emuhaya.
Internal rebellion
The PM had first hinted about the abolishing of the 210 branches to a goodwill delegation from a Western Province branch that paid him a courtesy call at his Bondo rural home last September 17.
Malava ODM branch chairman Mr Musavini Nambwa, who led a team of 32 party officials to Bondo, had told The Standard the PM was in favour of counties being transformed into branches.
For the better part of last year, there had been speculations that the party’s election scheduled for 2012 may be held this year to create room for the reorganisation of the new branches and sub-branches.
Apart from the party strengthening itself in areas it did not perform well in 2007, it also has the challenge of containing internal rebellion in Rift Valley Province and rivalry between key leaders in Coast.
The party may be forced to make key changes in its national leadership resulting from one or both of these challenges.
Mass movement
In Coast Province, camps gravitate around Tourism Minister Najib Balala and the party’s national Organising Secretary Ali Hassan Joho.
In Rift Valley, suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto who doubles as ODM Deputy Party leader has indicated he will be leading his followers to the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
Some leaders in the region have equally urged Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, who is the ODM chairman, to join Ruto in charting the region’s political future, especially after stepping aside as Industrialisation minister.
Were Ruto and Kosgey to leave, the party will have a stiff challenge finding their replacements if it is to remain relevant in the expansive province.
Last November, Raila told ODM rebels to leave the party with a rider that they will be replaced immediately.
The PM who spoke after a National Governing Council meeting at the Bomas of Kenya, put the renegades, widely seen to be led by Ruto on notice, saying they will not hold ODM at ransom.
"ODM is a mass political movement, if one wants to go let him go. Members cannot be intimidated or shaken. The party belongs to members," said the PM.
Raila also indicated the party had grown in popularity in Central and Eastern, where its performance had not been convincing in the 2007 General Election.