During the burial of the late former Kenya prime minister Raila Amollo Odinga in Siaya County,one phrase stood out from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members. That the party will form the next government or be in government. That phrase is lately taking shape within the party and there is vivid indication that there are two rival groups.
During a recent interview with one of the location media house,Siaya Governor James Orengo terms the wrangles in the party as a civil battle which is democratically acceptable. However, the governor believes going into negotiation with the current ruling party,United Democratic Alliance dictates that ODM has an upper hand.
Orengo says that ODM is the largest party in Kenya and has a national appeal.Adding that everyone in the party should be given a chance to speak out freely. He notes that members from other parts of the country who are in ODM are silent. And to him,this is a worrying trend. If they need to be part of any coalition,ODM must have the face of Kenya.
He has challenged the current ODM leadership to popularize the party to have a national look unless they want it to be a regional party. Orengo suggests that the legacy of the late Raila Odinga will be preserved if the ODM party which was founded in the interest of the common person will be actualized.
The Siaya governor in recent days has claimed that there are some ODM members who are planning to “sell” the party. He revealed the evidence and the names of the individuals but he hasn’t revealed them yet.
Currently,some members of the ODM party are enjoying working with Dr. William Ruto government whereas a section of the members feel they are the government watchdogs.
ODM Risks Being A Regional Party Says Orengo
