Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his Deputy Musalia Mudavadi. Photo/FILE
By NATION REPORTER
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 22:30
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 22:30
A team set up by ODM to resolve differences over the presidential primaries has proposed new rules binding losers to remain in the party and back the winner.
The Rapid Response Team led by Regional Development minister Fred Gumo on Monday met for the second time at the Nairobi Safari Club to seek a compromise on the matter that some observers say threatens the party’s future.
A member of the team who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to comment on the matter said no candidate will be barred from seeking the party’s ticket but the main concern was to avert a fallout. (READ: Mudavadi rejects call to step aside)
Anxiety in the party
The contest between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi has caused anxiety in the party after the latter insisted that the primaries be conducted at the county level.
Monday’s position is a climbdown from an earlier stance by hardliners allied to the PM who had insisted that Mr Mudavadi be forced to step down for his boss.
“Our duty is to ensure that the party conducts a democratic primary. There is nothing like asking anybody to step down. All we need is to ensure that whoever is the loser remains and supports the winner,” said a member of the team.
Mr Mudavadi’s publicist, Mr Kibisu Kabatesi on Monday said that the Gumo committee’s decision to allow everybody to run was in line with DPM’s position but indicated that they will respond to the rules once they have they have been announced through the relevant party organs.
The meeting came against the backdrop of an escalated quarrel between the two camps after a dinner hosted by Mr Odinga for Ugandan President Yoweri in Bondo also attended by Mr Mudavadi.
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