Obure denies ODM infighting in Kisii

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Public Works minister Chris Obure (left) has denied reports of divisions or infighting over ODM support in the larger Gusii region July 3, 2012. FILE  

By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, July 3  2012 at  11:31

A Cabinet minister has denied reports of divisions or infighting over ODM support in the larger Gusii region.

Public Works minister Chris Obure

termed as "malicious, ill-motivated and propaganda" media reports that recent campaigns to popularise the party by 'ODM reloaded' team in Gusii were marred by differences among local leaders.

"ODM reloaded" is one of groups campaigning for Prime minister Raila Odinga to win the presidency in the coming elections and is headed by assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba.

Mr Obure, who is the Kisii County ODM chairman and his Nyamira counterpart Timothy Bosire, said ODM leadership in the Gusii counties was united and fully behind the party leader's presidential bid.

Speaking to the Nation in Nairobi Tuesday, Mr Obure said: “The overall impact of the tour of the ODM reloaded has been strong on the ground.”

“Very few initiatives can achieve the same results over a same period. The tour made it easy for us to penetrate some of the areas we were not able.

"We have no problem with the team. Its agenda is different and complements what we were already doing,” Mr Obure who is a member of the ODM Council of Elders led by Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo said.

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Divided house

Mr Obure was reacting to reports in the Sunday Nation that when Mr Odinga visits the Gusii counties in two weeks, he will most likely finda divided house as ODM party officials and MPs jostle in a popularity contest ahead of the General Election.

It had been reported that the recent "ODM Reloaded" campaigns seemed to expose the rivalries between party grassroots officials and the sitting MPs who tried to outdo each other during the campaign tour.

In South Mugirango, for instance, the "Reloaded" caravan was received with hostility at Tabaka market where rowdy youths shouted down area MP Manson Nyamweya and demanded to be addressed by the party's sub-branch chairman Gideon Moreka.

Mr Obure's efforts to cool down tempers were futile. Order was only restored after Mr Moreka was allowed to address the charged crowd.

But on Tuesday, Mr Obure and Mr Bosire denied any divisions among local leaders or disruption of the “ODM Reloaded” rallies saying all was well during the tour.

“ODM’s support and membership is growing. In Gusii, it has expanded its support including from people who opposed it before. ODM’s move to nominate Joseph Kiangoi to East African Legislative Assembly has also endeared it to many,” Mr Obure said.

He said local ODM leaders also welcome MPs Manson Nyamweya and Richard Onyonka’s move to join the party.

“There’s no resistance for their entry. We are urging our members to welcome them. There is no great deal of fighting in Kisii. I don’t believe ODM has been stronger in Kisii than it is at the moment. The party is entrenched in the entire community,” Mr Obure said.

On his part, Mr Bosire said he has no problem with any elected leader in the region.