ODM National Elections Board has dismissed the move by a section of Vihiga county party officials to oust branch chairman Kennedy Butiko through a vote of no confidence. In a press statement, some branch officials on Wednesday said they had passed a vote of no confidence in Butiko for allegedly absconding his duties as chairman after joining the campaign trail of one of the contenders for the ODM presidential ticket.
Butiko, who is Vihiga county chairman, has declared support for party leader PM Raila Odinga, who is facing his deputy Musalia Mudavadi in the battle for the party presidential ticket. Vihiga is Mudavadi's county. Yesterday, NEB secretary Joseph Misoi said the move was not procedural because it contravened party rules. “As far as we are concerned, Butiko still remains the Vihiga county chairman because no decision has been taken by the party to have him out,” he said, adding that no official communication has been made regarding his removal from office.
He said ODM as a democratic party will not allow an individual to be crucified for supporting a candidate of his choice. He appealed to members to read and understand the ODM constitution before making any decisions on party matters. Butiko expressed shock over his alleged removal saying no meeting was ever convened to discuss his conduct. “These were just individual decisions because as the chairman I am mandated to convene party meeting and this has not this been discussed in any meetings that I have chaired,” he said.
He said he has a right to support Raila for the party's presidential ticket. “I have a right just like any other party member to support a candidate of my choice. I do not regret for supporting Raila,” he added. Butiko, however, said he is ready to work with the candidate who wins the ODM nomination.
A delegate from the branch Ben Ombima accused Mudavadi’s camp of preaching water and drinking wine. “They are busy advocating for democracy in the party which they are not practising. I believe the move to have Butiko ousted was hatched by Mudavadi’s allies who do not want to accept the truth that Raila still remains the popular ODM candidate even in Vihiga,” said Ombima.
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