Monday, January 16, 2012

ODM Party Polls Breached The New Constitution



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Major Kenyan political parties are in a neck break rush to beat deadlines set out in the Political Parties Act 2011 where such outfits that will not have held fresh grassroots and national elections by April 30th risk being struck off by the registrar of political parties.
The scramble and jostling for key party positions where one will control the outcome of the elections has seen many parties plunge into internal feuds and turmoil. Unfortunately, those entrusted with conducting internal party elections have abused their positions and bungledthem with impunity partly due to vested political interests.
The key culprits in these flawed party elections are the party leaders especially those in charge of the election boards who wield immense. These boards often preside over flawed nominations and elections. Consequently, parties have broken up as those who feel cheated decamp to other friendly and seemingly democratic outfits. The fear of a falling out after a bungled election is the bane of all political parties in Kenya. The recent ODM grassroots elections were no different. The nominations and elections— just like those conducted in the run-up to the 2007 elections— were marred by irregularities and chaos of monumental proportions.
Not spared this form of manipulation and political mischief, is Rangwe, the home of former MP Philip Okundi who is the current chair of the ODM National Elections Board. Homa Bay County bore the greatest brunt of political intimidation, chaos and fatalities that saw over ten party members killed in separate incidents at Rongo and Nyatike constituencies and the same spilled into Kasipul Kabondo area. Leaders attending a funeral including Okundi were not spared the violence in which his vehicle was smashed by rocks and crude weapons.
It has since emerged that some people, including the dethroned Luo Council of Elders, chairman Riaga Ogalo, are among the closest confidantes of the national elections board chairman. Okundi who is eying the county governor’s seat hopes that political outcasts and rejects in his camp will help him clinch the Senate seat nomination.
Other areas hit by political thuggery included Nairobi’s Starehe and Makadara constituencies and some branches in the Rift Valley especially Nakuru. These unfortunate incidents can largely be blamed on the chairman of the elections board not only in ODM but in all other parties some of which risk similar pitfalls as experienced during the ODM polls.
The Political Parties Act, which came into force on November 1, 2011 is categorical that free and fair party elections must be held regularly; parties must have a national outlook and democratically elected governing bodies; must have at least 1,000 registered members in at least 24 of the 47 Counties and must promote and uphold national unity as well as abiding by the democratic principles of good governance.
For all intents and purposes, what is being witnessed in the various political parties as they race to beat the requirements of the law is in itself a violation of the country’s constitution and the Political Parties Act.
Equally, the supremacy contests between factions within the United Democratic Movement (UDM) that led to a splinter group moving out to form a new outfit, United Republican Party (URP) affiliated to Eldoret North MP, William Ruto was as a result of power struggles. Ruto has not officially quit the ODM on whose ticket he represents a constituency.
Other parties that are yet to comply with the new law are the Party of National Unity (PNU) led by Internal Security Minister, Prof George Saitoti, Party of National Unity Alliance (PNUA) headed by Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, Kenya African National Union (Kanu) led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper Democratic Movement (WPM) headed by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka among others.
The writer is a freelance Journalist. Email: paminao@yahoo.com

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