Mr Orengo said the problems in ODM stemmed from a misconception that the party lost in the recent by-elections. Photo|FILE|NATION MEDIA GROUP
By NOAH CHEPLOEN ncheploen@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, October 3 2012 at 21:18
Posted Wednesday, October 3 2012 at 21:18
IN SUMMARY
- Mr Orengo said the problems in ODM stemmed from a misconception that the party lost in the recent by-elections.
- The minister, who spoke during the Cheche programme on Citizen TV, stated that there was still time for the PM to make amends.
- The minister noted that those who had ditched the party were on a self-preservation mission and that was expected.
Two ministers have downplayed defections from the Orange Democratic Movement to other parties, insisting they were “normal and democratic” in an election season.
The party was still a force to reckon with despite the turbulence it was facing, according to Lands minister James Orengo and Energy assistant minister Magerer Lang’at.
The two, who spoke separately, said Prime Minister Raila Odinga stood a good chance of succeeding President Kibaki when the country goes to the polls on March 4, next year.
Mr Orengo said the problems in ODM stemmed from a misconception that the party lost in the recent by-elections. (READ: TNA leader goes on charm offensive as defections rock Raila)
“It was misunderstood that ODM lost, but we didn’t lose any seat. If you look at the picture in totality, we made gains,” the Ugenya MP said.
The minister, who spoke during the Cheche programme on Citizen TV, stated that there was still time for the PM to make amends.
“When we approach elections people go to different directions. This is the season and everyone wants to go to a party where his interests are best served,” said the Lands minister.
The minister noted that those who had ditched the party were on a self-preservation mission and that was expected.
In 2002 many politicians changed parties and in 2007 people were moving in different directions, he said.
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Mr Lang’at reiterated that Mr Odinga’s rivals had been sponsored to frustrate his presidential bid. He said the ODM leader would weather the storm and emerge victorious.
“TNA is PNU reloaded so there’s nothing they gained. They just retained their seats and people clapped but the truth of the matter is that ODM gained new seats in Bukura and Kaloleni,” the Kipkelion MP said by telephone.
“I’m not moving out of ODM. I’m there to stay and I’m not going to lose my seat… I have a future,” he said.
Mr Lang’at extended an olive branch to United Republican Party leader William Ruto, saying the door was still open for him to strike a deal with the PM.
“They should look back and swallow their pride and strike a deal because they are the ultimate losers in the second round. They will be out of politics,” he said.
The two ministers dismissed claims that the resettlement of Mau evictees, which started last week, was carried out for political gains.
Mr Orengo denied that the exercise was intended to woo Kalenjins back to ODM, saying the resettlement plan started six months ago.
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