ODM kicks off nomination process

By Steve Mkawale

Members of the Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM) interested in vying for elective positions available under parliamentary and county assembly in the next general election will have to apply for the slots and compete with rivals.

For the first time in the history of political party nomination in the country, prospective ODM aspirants for senate, national assembly, Governor, women and county representatives will be required to write to the National Election Board (NEB) and express their interest for the positions.

The move is aimed at addressing minimum requirements in accordance with the Constitution, the Elections Act, the Political Parties Act and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act.

Dr. Joseph Misoi, the ODM secretary to the board, said the applications should reach the board not later than August 8, 2012.

“Members who will respond to the expression of interest will be issued with the prescribed nomination form to formally apply for nomination. The party will ensure free and fair nomination process, “said Dr. Misoi.

The party, however, has not listed the position of the presidency- an indication that Prime Minister Raila Odinga would not face opposition in the party’s presidential nomination.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi quit the party after a disagreement over the presidential nomination rules claiming the party constitution favoured Raila.

Mudavadi had wanted that changed to give members a chance to vote afresh for a flag bearer.

He had also proposed that each county vote separately instead of gathering delegates in Nairobi to make the decision. Mudavadi will contest the presidency on UDF ticket.

The move to have members express interest on the elective positions is seen as a plot by ODM to know the caliber of aspirants it will attract in the next polls and also make the undecided members make up their mind up about their future in the party.

The exercise will also expose civil servants who have been quietly campaigning for various elective position and who have been eyeing ODM as their party of choice.

Civil servants interested in contesting for position in the next polls have until August to quit their jobs.

Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth’s Kenya National Congress was the first political party to place paid up advertisements in local dailies urging members to express interest on the elective positions ahead of the polls.

The party carried out the exercise in March this year bit was still not clear how many members applied for the positions.