ODM reaches out to other parties

  ODM reaches out to other parties

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Published Monday, May 14 2012 at 00:00

By Allan Kisia

ODM has engaged fresh gears in a bid  to recover lost ground and has extended an olive branch to other political parties sharing its ideals.

ODM Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o stated that the party has already begun to work with other parties ahead of the General Election.

The party received a boost on Monday when over 20 councilors from Bungoma County declared that they were willing to work with ODM as the country gears for elections.

The councilors, led by former Bungoma County Council chairman Julius Bakasa, were drawn from New Ford Kenya, Ford Kenya, PNU and Narc Kenya parties.

The councilors made the announcement at the Orange House in Nairobi before top brass party officials among them Cabinet ministers Fred Gumo and Joseph Nyagah, assistant minister Alfred Khang’ati and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba.

ODM lost ground recently following the exit of key figures among them Mudavadi and former Cabinet minister Najib Balala.

After ditching ODM, Mudavadi joined United Republican Forum, on whose ticket he will be seeking the presidency.

Mudavadi ditched ODM with other key figures including MPs George Khaniri (Hamisi), Justus Kizito (Shinyalu), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and most recently Ben Washiali (Mumias)

Gumo said on Monday that they want to work with other parties to end hostilities they have been getting in certain regions of the country.

“We don’t want people to be hostile towards us. We want to be welcome in every part of the country as we hold rallies,” he added.

Speaking to the Standard on phone, Mudavadi’s director of communications Kibisu Kabatesi termed the move by the civic leaders as contradictory and hypocritical.

“I don’t not know the kind of working relationship they implying,” he wondered.

Gumo lamented that many presidential hopefuls have announced their interest for the top seat just to block Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.

Nyagah said Monday’s meeting was the beginning of a partnership with other parties.

“We want more political parties to join us and we will among other things ensure the Constitution if fully implemented,” he added.

He said ODM is working on ways of strengthening itself to return to the same status as it was in before the 2007 elections.