OPARANYA BATTLES WITH RAILA ODINGA

The battle for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) presidential ticket is shaping up to a three-horse race between party leader Raila Odinga and his two deputies.

ODM co-deputy party leaders — Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Kakamega’s Wycliffe Oparanya — said they will be going for nothing less than the top seat.

Even though Mr Odinga has not formally declared his interest in the 2022 presidential race and the ODM ticket, he has started campaigns in earnest to consolidate his support ahead of his possible fifth and final stab at the presidency.

On Wednesday, he addressed rallies in Roysambu and Githurai and is today (Thursday) meeting religious leaders at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.

Mr Joho and Mr Oparanya revealed that they will apply for the party’s ticket and battle it out with their boss.

“ODM is a democratic party. I will apply for the position and seek the party’s ticket,” Mr Joho told the Nation.

Mr Oparanya also disclosed that he will seek the party’s ticket ahead of next year’s elections.

“We still have a whole 30 days and I still have to look for Sh1 million which is a requirement for eligibility to seek the ODM ticket,” the Council of Governors Chairman said.

Interested applicants seeking to fly the Orange party’s flag had been directed to deposit a non-refundable Sh1 million.

“The National Elections Board is directed to immediately begin the process of identifying the party’s presidential candidate for purposes of the 2022 election by inviting those interested to express interest,” party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said.

Applicants must be life members of ODM, be Kenyan citizens registered as voters and have the qualifications for being elected as MP.

They must also have degrees from universities recognised in Kenya.

The party has set February 26 as the deadline for the applications.

The call for applications might mean campaigns by the interested politicians — which are crucial in mobilising voters in various regions — before a party national delegates’ convention is held for the endorsement of one candidate.

ODM had a similar arrangement just two years after it was formed, prior to the 2007 elections.

Mr Odinga, Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, former minister Joe Nyagah, and current Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, in a group later called The Pentagon, ran similar campaigns before the party delegates endorsed Mr Odinga as the ODM presidential candidate.

In Mr Odinga’s recent campaigns, he has concentrated on attacking Dr Ruto, touted as his possible fiercest challenger in the 2022 election.

This probably indicates Mr Odinga’s confidence in once again clinching the party’s ticket.

In an attack against the DP’s ”Hustler Nation” movement, the ODM leader has cautioned against improper sloganeering that could be a recipe for chaos in the country.

“We must have an honest conversation about sloganeering that has the potential of upsetting the peace and stability of our nation. Our youth deserve access to gainful employment. The divisive “hustler” debate cannot move millions of youth to gainful employment,” said Mr Odinga.

Political analysts have indicated that accusations by Dr Ruto against Mr Odinga over the failure of Jubilee government after the 2017 elections over his ”Handshake” deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta had sent ODM strategists back to the drawing board, forcing the former prime minister to launch an attack against the DP and generally the Jubilee administration

By nation.africa