NAIROBI, Kenya – Sharp decisions continue to rock the Orange democratic Movement (ODM) party, almost three months after the death of its leader, Raila Odinga.
This is after vocal Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi dismissed the installation of Siaya Senator, Oburu Oginga, as the party’s leader, replacing his younger brother Raila.
“Who elected Oburu as the ODM party leader in the first place? ODM does not exist to please a party leader. Who are the top party organs that met and endorsed him? Is it the same way, the late president, Mwai Kibaki, was sworn in at the State House at night?” the MP paused.
Speaking to The Kenyan Historian YouTube show, the youthful MP better known as “Kijana Power” in his Saboti backyard said that the ODM party has a constitution with clear guidelines on how a party leader is elected.
“ODM has a constitution. So, there is a better way of electing a party leader should he/she die, resign or leave office through other circumstances,” added the MP.
MP Amisi stated that to elect a new party leader to replace Raila, the ODM top organ should convene a special National Delegates Council (NDC).
“Since there has been no special ODM NDC, it means that the party lacks a leader after Raila’s death. Even Kisumu Governor, Anyang’ Nyong’o, briefly acted as the party leader when Baba was vying for the African Union Chairperson (AUC) position. He never handed the party to Oburu after Raila failed. But he returned the position to Raila instead,” explained Amisi.
How did Caleb Amisi learn of Oburu Oginga’s elevation?
Amisi, who is serving his second term in office, said he had no idea of what happened on the day that Oburu was elected as the ODM party leader.
“I was not there. I don’t know what happened. I only saw it on the news. parties are guided by their respective constitutions. So, when you flout your own constitution, how sure are you that there will be transparency in the issuance of nomination certificates?” he posed.
He also maintained that he does not belong to any faction within the Orange party.
“What I know is that the party constitution is not being adhered to. And also, what I know is that ODM is trading on dangerous grounds. This is a party we have toiled for. Unfortunately, Western Kenya called us rebels when we stood by Baba, and now ODM is calling us rebels even in his death,” he stated.
Caleb Amisi takes a jab at a section of ODM Nyanza leaders
Without mentioning names, MP Amisi accused some ODM leaders from the Nyanza of attempting to take over the party post-Raila.
“There are people who are in ODM primarily because they come from Nyanza. They came from their homes straight to Capitol Hill. They have never even set foot in their constituencies because as long as they have the party constitution, then that is it,” he explained.
He urged the unnamed individuals to stop chest thumping and instead listen to them.
“They need to stop looking down upon us because that is not why ODM was formed. ODM was formed to transform this nation,” said MP Amisi.
He reiterated that the best way forward for the ODM party is to call all organs to order.
“A party leader cannot just die, and ODM pretends that nothing happened. They need to call the Central Committee, then the NDC, followed by the Parliamentary Group (PG). ODM is a big party, but some individuals want to reduce it to KANU,” lamented the MP.
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