ODM struggles to contain split fears

By Vitalis Kimutai

The fight between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to clinch the ODM Presidential ticket is likely to determine whether ODM remains united or breaks up. They are battling for support of delegates with the simmering row over proposals to change the party constitution to accommodate political competition.

The political tussle between has raised fears that if not properly managed, it would lead to a split like in 2007.

A fight for control of the party between Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila led to formation of ODM-Kenya and ODM.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala has announced he is quitting ODM and urged Mudavadi not to waste more time in the party whose leadership is dictatorial.

"I urge my friend Mudavadi to stop wasting time in ODM. If he does not have a plan B,I am ready to shown him one," Balala said.

Healing wounds

"Our new party is ready, we are going to unveil it soon," Balala who was a key ODM leader from the Coast said last weekend.

Eldoret North MP, William Ruto, and other leaders have severed links with ODM and joined newly formed United Republican Party (URP) following disagreements with the PM.

Opinion is divided on the gigantic duel between Raila and Mudavadi. East Africa Cooperation Minister Musa Sirma said that ODM would not split but was headed for bigger things owing to the expanded democratic space.

"This is a party to watch because its leaders had been branded as dictatorial yet it is coming out clearly now that we are strong believers in democracy," Sirma said.

Sirma said both Raila and Mudavadi had agreed during a meeting in Nairobi that whoever wins should appoint the loser as a running mate.

Strong leader

"Both Raila and Mudavadi assured us they would not part ways irrespective of the outcome of the poll," Sirma said.

Nairobi Mayor, George Aladwa, said the competition between Raila and Musalia was good because the party leader had opened room for competition. Dujis MP Aden Duale said ODM split a long time ago and what was happening to Mudavadi would be the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

"Mudavadi is a strong, sober leader with many similarities with President Kibaki as he does not wrong others. He can be anybody’s compromise candidate," Duale said.

Dr Adams Oloo, a lecturer at University of Nairobi said the duel between the PM and DPM was good for internal democracy.

"Musalia has come out of Raila’s shadow but he will be a better person if he sticks in the party than walking out if defeated," Oloo said.

Recently, Raila and Mudavadi groups failed to agree on nomination rules during a National Executive Council meeting.