Anthony Njoroge | nation Mr Musalia Mudavadi addresses the press at Parliament Buildings January 17, 2011. With him is Lands minister James Orengo
By CAROLINE WAFULAPosted Monday, January 17 2011 at 21:00
In Summary
- Prime Minister gets strong backing as loyalist troops hit out at forces within the party allegedly working to malign the leadership
Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies in ODM on Monday came out fighting, saying the party was a victim of a smear campaign to discredit its leadership.
The party said it will stand by Mr Odinga and challenged those showing signs of quitting to do so instead of issuing empty threats.
The PM allies issued a statement following divisions that have come into the open revolving around deputy leader and suspended Education minister William Ruto, who has teamed up with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta to take the fight to Mr Odinga.
They defended Mr Odinga, saying he is a victim of self-serving political threats based on unfounded allegations and lies.
“Since the formation of the Coalition Government, a small group of MPs have continued to make one illogical allegation after another meant to smear the ODM and undermine the party leadership,” the statement said.
The deputy party leader, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, described as ridiculous some members’ claim that the Prime Minister was behind “The Ocampo Six” list.
“There has been a sustained propaganda campaign by some leaders determined to create an impression that the PM is taking people to The Hague and that in some way, he decided who was on the list and who was not. Could ODM have connived to convict its own?” asked Mr Mudavadi, who is also deputy Prime Minister and minister for Local Government.
Mr Mudavadi and 15 party MPs, among them Lands minister James Orengo and assistant ministers, was responding to weekend claims by Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta that some senior politicians in the country had hatched a plot to send them to The Hague.
Both are on the list of six suspects being investigated by International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo over the post-election violence.
Others on the list are ODM chairman Henry Kosgey, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, former police commissioner Hussein Ali and Kass FM presenter Joshua arap Sang.
Mr Ruto declared at the weekend rally also attended by former president Daniel Moi that Kalenjin MPs had severed links with Mr Odinga and hinted that the three leaders behind the KKK alliance would present one candidate in the next elections.
Mr Musyoka encouraged Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto to forget about the ICC obstacle and work on new political strategies.
“You should not lose hope because of being on the ICC list. The government will do its best to assist you because we want to ensure that every Kenyan is part and parcel of the next dispensation,” he said.
But at the press briefing at Parliament Buildings, Mr Mudavadi said the argument was political deception.
He said there would be no political gain for the ODM in sacrificing its deputy leader and national chairman. He also dismissed claims that the Cabinet had resolved to pull Kenya out of the ICC process.
“Whoever is pushing this agenda is not doing it for the Coalition Government but is on a partisan and personal agenda,” the statement said.
The deputy Prime Minister said the threats by some members to quit the party were a sign of panic and fear of the coming grassroots elections.
He said it was fraudulent, impunity and immoral for disgruntled members to continue earning salaries in the name of a party they no longer believe in.
“They should not fear elections. It is also a serious display of poor judgment and resolve and lack of principle for a party member to threaten a departure that never happens. Three years is a long time to be packing your belongings while issuing threats to your spouse,” said Mr Mudavadi.
On “generational change”, the party said one should never base their choice of leadership on youthfulness.
“Being young alone does not qualify you for a leadership role, let alone the presidency,” said the statement.
“Being young alone does not qualify you for a leadership role, let alone the presidency,” said the statement.
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