13 MPs from Western Province led by Wycliffe Oparanya told Deputy Prime minister Musalia Mudavadi not to quit ODM but instead fight it out with Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the party’s presidential ticket April 19, 2012. FILE
By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU ashiundu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, April 19 2012 at 17:15
Posted Thursday, April 19 2012 at 17:15
Deputy Prime minister Musalia Mudavadi should not quit ODM but should instead fight it out with Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the party’s presidential ticket, 13 MPs from Western Province have said.
Addressing a news conference in Parliament buildings Thursday, the MPs said they had already spoken to Prime Minister and his deputy, and that their counsel, was a call to dialogue.
“We are convinced that moving to any other political party will certainly not be in his best interests or beneficial to the people of Western,” said Cabinet minister Wycliffe Oparanya, who read the joint statement.
“We’re making all efforts to ensure that we stay together.”
MPs Fred Gumo (Westlands), Alfred Sambu (Webuye), Sospeter Ojaamong (Amagoro), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias), Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i), Evans Akula (Khwisero), Alfred Odhiambo (Butula), Wilberforce Otichillo (Emuhaya) and Alfred Khang’ati (Kanduyi) atended the news conference.
But two MPs Paul Otuoma (Funyula) and David Were (Matungu) whose names were appended in the statement, did not show up, and the explanation was that they “are on the way, they were stuck in traffic”.
The MPs, together with their colleagues from other parties, met Mr Mudavadi on Tuesday, to “consult” on his political future. After the meeting, Mr Mudavadi said he was going on with consultations about his next step. He promised to hold a meeting in Kakamega this weekend at which a major announcement would be made.
On Thursday, the MPs allied to ODM, through Mr Sambu, said the Kakamega meeting was a “councillors' meeting” and any MP was free to attend.
Mr Oparanya added that Mr Mudavadi “should tread with caution and listen keenly to the counsel within the party, and be careful with the push from outsiders motivated by their personal interests with the intention of isolating him and rocking our party, ODM”.
Cabinet minister Fred Gumo added that Mr Mudavadi should not hit the road because the race for the presidency was not for the “faint-hearted”.
“If Musalia wants to be President, we’re telling him that he can do it through ODM… if he fights for it and wins within ODM, he’ll be assured of the presidency, because, that will be easy,” said Mr Gumo.
“In politics, we need strong leaders, we don’t need weaklings,” said Mr Gumo.
Mr Gumo said the politicians who had left ODM have been flashing around the “lack of democracy excuse” to all and sundry, yet ODM was the “most democratic party.”
“We began this party, we’re the owners of this party,” said Mr Gumo, who is an MP of Westlands in Nairobi county.
He said Mr Odinga’s management style was not dictatorial.
“The only problem is when people develop their own ambitions, they develop cold feet; they think they can’t fight him, and therefore they run away. Have you ever heard that Mr Odinga has forced anything on us?” posed Mr Gumo.
However, Mr Gumo added, that should Mr Mudavadi make good his threat to quit ODM, then, he (Gumo) would make a decision on the next step.
“Mr Mudavadi has many delegates who’re supporting him. But listen up, if he leaves, I will make a decision, an individual decision as an MP. I am not anyone’s wife. I am a husband of many wives. I make my own decision as an MP. If I think he’s made the right decision, I will follow him,” said Mr Gumo.
The ODM MPs are playing a dicey game with their supporters on the ground, because, some of them are afraid of sticking to Mr Mudavadi lest he loses, or sticking with the Prime Minister, and be seen as abandoning one of their own. That, is why, they have found a safe middle-ground in speaking for the party.
They told Mr Mudavadi that his worries about a level playing field were being addressed.
“Indeed Mr Mudavadi has a bright future, but that future will shine brightest within the ODM house,” said Mr Namwamba, who’s the spokesman of ODM MPs in Parliament.
The MPs said they were not aware of any anomalies in their list of supporters submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties.
In a statement, secretary general Anyang' Nyong'o dismissed the reports that ODM had been denied full registration.
"The information being circulated in the media that the Registrar of Political Parties has refused to register the ODM is false, malicious and stupid," he said.
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