Kenya: ODM crisis talks begin

The meeting was called as anxiety soared in the party over the fact that despites recent declaration of commitment to its vision by top party leaders and their assurances Orange party will hold together, its problems appeared deeper and serious. Also getting increasingly unconvincing to a section of the party, as was discernible from their reactions on Monday, were the leaders explanation all ODM was ailing from were normal and inconsequential personality differences and clash of opinions, largely because it is a big party.

Prime minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture minister William Ruto will face each other in talks aimed salvaging the unity of Kenyas largest one-party movement. But ahead of the talks Ruto and his team of Rift Valley leaders were under attack from a section of ODM that they were tribalising a national party.

He was also told to stop tribalising party issues and the conservation efforts, particularly Mau Forest Complex whose clearance of human settlement the PM has been asked by the President to spearhead.

Top on the agenda will be Rutos prayer meeting with 22 Kalenjin MPs during which the Rift leaders said they were unhappy with Railas abrasive style, would not let anyone trample on their community, spirited defence of retired President Moi, and Mau evictions must be handled carefully and humanely. The leaders also used the meeting cross-party meeting to sent signal to other political suitors they were toying with the idea of a new political marriage.

Railas elder brother, Bondo MP Dr Oburu Odinga, introduced a new dimension to the Kalenjin MPs meeting that also asked President Kibaki to visit the province, arguing someone wanted to get the PM out of government.

Oburu claimed those trying to push Raila out of the government were daydreaming and this time round they would stay put no matter what kind of frustration the party leader was subjected to.

Cheptiret meeting

However, it was Nominated MP Musa Sirma who has stood by Raila since the fresh shadow war with Ruto started who dropped the bomb Kalenjin MPs had already decided to chart new political course. Saying the action was doomed to fail, Sirma said: “We know they have already made a decision to ditch the party but they should resign and go for elections if they feel short-changed,” he said.

Because the talks will come after Thursdays by-elections in Shinyalu, which was ODMs seat as well as Bomachoge, and depending on the outcome, it could also be ODMs chance to review its health amid the pre-2012 internal political cat-and-mouse games.

ODM chairman Henry Kosgei, who skipped Sundays Kalenjin leaders meeting in Cheptiret in Eldoret Constituency and was warned of dire political consequences if he isolated himself from the community, called up the meeting with party secretary general Prof Anyang Nyongo.

Kosgei and Nyongo did not give the exact date but announced the Parliamentary Group and National Executive Council meeting would take place next week. The meeting brings together all ODM MPs and national office holders with Raila who is the party leader being the natural chairman. He was expected to arrive from an official trip to Italy last night.

“We are certain that we will agree and anybody who will walk out and start fresh wrangles would be perceived as ODMs enemy,” said Prof Nyongo. The Medical Services minister explained: “With a party with big following like ODM you must expect differences in opinion but I support my colleagues (Kosgei) views that we must separate party issues from matters of national importance.”

Nyongo said the differences between the two were being addressed through party organs.

“We are focused on the campaigns at the moment and the media should not focus on the sideshows,” said Industrialisation minister.

Raila-Ruto differences

Roads minister Franklin Bett who accompanied Nyongo and Kosgei asked both Raila and Ruto not to use the Mau evictions for political benefits. “If we play politics with Mau issue nobody will survive,” he said. Bett was in Cheptiret meeting where he was quoted warning: “We are a people who sing and play drumbeats of peace. But it is possible to do the opposite if you irritate us.”

But on Monday he said the differences between the PM and Ruto could tear ODM apart, if leaders concentrated on the wrangles and not the affected people and the environment.

“If you want to be happy alone it cannot help. You were not born alone,” he posed. He urged his colleagues to come out of the Mau Forest box and handle the issue with sober mind.

Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang, Assistant ministers Dr Oburu Odinga and Prof Ayiecho Olweny also spoke against Rutos team. “Immediately one plays ethnic politics, it will likely provoke tribal reactions which is dangerous for the country and for the party,” Kajwang cautioned.

Sirma dismissed warnings issued to him by the MPs that he risks being isolated if he does not toe their line. “Those saying I will be isolated are political novices and I do not play in the same league with them politically,” Sirma said.

“For a rally that was attended by 23 MPs to have such a poor turn out is an indication that they have lost touch with the masses,” Sirma added.

Kajwang hit out at Information minister Samuel Poghisio over his remarks that they had congregated as one people.

“When everybody starts meeting as a people we will forget about important duties like famine and infrastructure. That kind of talk will take us back to the early 1980s,” he said.

Politics of ethnicity

“I joined politics with Ruto at the same time but he has grown very fast but is also retrogressing into a tribal chief,” said the minister.

On Betts Sundays remark he responded: “Let us talk of politics of parties and not as tribal grouping. In all these wars ODM is left the poorer. The party must define what wants it to do as a party together in term of politics of equity democracy and not politics of ethnicity.”

Ruto, he argued, has vision for leading Kenya and should spread his wings across the country and embrace all.

“No movement is going to break ODM and these politicians are going to dissolve into thin air,” Kajwang.

Oburu and Prof Olweny declared there was no other alternative but to strike back.

The Standard