Thursday, February 9, 2012

ODM legislators downplay Raila, Musalia rivalry



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Ababu Namwamba (left) addresses a news conference at Parliament buildings on February 08 2012 accompanied by other ODM MPs where they announced that there are no divisions in the party over the ongoing tussle for the party's presidential ticket. PHOTO / PHOEBE OKALL
Ababu Namwamba (left) addresses a news conference at Parliament buildings on February 08 2012 accompanied by other ODM MPs where they announced that there are no divisions in the party over the ongoing tussle for the party's presidential ticket. PHOTO / PHOEBE OKALL  
By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Wednesday, February 8  2012 at  13:57
Six ODM Legislators on Wednesday welcomed the ongoing contest between party leader Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi for the party's presidential ticket.
The MPs said the fight for the party’s presidential ticket is good for internal democracy.
They however warned their rivals to steer away from the Odinga - Mudavadi contest.
“Our rivals are burning midnight lamb to see a split in the party and are not sparing their resources, time and effort but they would not succeed as ODM will emerge stronger after the nominations. ODM supports open competition of all positions within the party,” ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba.
The six included Energy Assistant Minister Mohamud Mohamed, MPs Charles Onyancha, Yusuf Chanzu, John Mbadi and Nicholas Gumbo.
Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings, the MPs said the authority of determining how to choose party’s flag-bearer rests with the National Delegates Conference.
Mr Mudavadi, who has launched a fierce campaign for the ODM presidential ticket, wants the primaries to be done at the county level as per the party’s push for devolution. Mr Odinga’s supporters favour delegates being shipped to Nairobi for a national congress. (READ: Raila, Mudavadi rivalry rattles ODM)
“We want to affirm our confidence in the party and its democratic principles. As far as we are concerned there is no crisis. We are very happy with what is going on. The party is just exercising democracy as it did in 2005 when it had five candidates seeking the party’s ticket for presidency,” Mr Onyancha said.
Mr Onyancha said the competition between Mr Odinga and Mr Mudavadi was a sign of democracy in ODM.
Mr Mohamed said the party members had agreed that those interested in the presidency should go out and campaign for the party and to seek from members how best to conduct the presidential nominations.
The ODM constitution says the party could use the National Delegates Congress or any other system to decide its presidential nominee.
“The party will make a decision on which way to go whether it is NDC or any other means. Even in 2007 when we had five candidates eyeing the presidency the debate started in February to December 1 when we settled on NDC. Why are we poor students of history. We are just walking the same road,” Mr Namwamba said.
The MPs disputed claims that the ongoing separate countrywide campaigns by Mr Odinga and Mr Mudavadi had split the party, saying any committed member of ODM was free to contest in the primaries.
Mr Mbadi said even the move by some ODM MPs and Ministers to rally behind either Mr Odinga or Mr Mudavadi as their favourite candidates or asking the Sabatia MP to step down for the PM would not divide the party “as we know better what is going on and don’t want sham elections.”
“Minor inconveniences and skirmishes don’t exist in our party. What we want is to offer alternative leadership to the people of Kenya . There are no differences in nomination procedure as we haven’t gotten there,” Mr Gumbo said.
Mr Chanzu said ODM wants every member to participate in the presidential nominations and that Mr Mudavadi and Mr Odinga’s meetings with delegates should continue.
“Anybody who feels he has the muscle can join the race,” Mr Chanzu said.
The MPs said there were no camps in ODM and that the battle between Mr Odinga and Mr Mudavadi is just like Harambee Stars forming two teams of 11 players to compete against each other in readiness for an international match.
“You can’t say then that there are two Harambee Stars,” Mr Namwamba said.

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