Jitters in ODM as legislators boycott Raila’s meeting

The Orange Democratic Movement held its National Executive Committee and Parliamentary Group meeting called by party leader Raila Odinga in Mombasa County on Monday.

Mr Odinga, his deputy Hassan Joho, and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi were in attendance.

However, the much publicised event was snubbed by several Coast ODM legislators, who have now been branded ‘rebels’. The MPs, most of whom have been linked to Deputy President William Ruto in recent weeks, were expected at the meeting at Flamingo Beach Resort, but they did not show up or excuse themselves.

Among them are vocal Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman Suleiman Dori, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya. Others were MPs Paul Katana, John Mlolwa, Danson Mwishako and Senator Jones Mwaruma.

REBELLION

ODM threatened to punish the MPs. The party wrote to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi seeking the removal of Ms Jumwa from the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Minority Whip Junet Mohamed (Suna East) expressed ODM’s intention to axe the MP from the commission.

“I seek guidance on how to remove and hence replace a commissioner of the PSC… Your urgent consideration of this matter will be highly appreciated,” the letter signed by Mr Mohamed reads.

But Ms Jumwa downplayed Mr Junet’s letter, saying she was not ready to be intimidated by anyone in ODM since she is an asset to the party in Coast politics.

It is clear that all is not well for ODM in Coast since the March 9 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga.

The party is now staring at a rebellion in a region it has considered its strongholds since the 1997 general elections.

PRESIDENCY

Although Mr Kingi attended the meeting, he is leading the formation of a political party with a view of fielding a candidate in the 2022 presidential election.

“We shall build our own ship complete with a presidential candidate, and then we shall work with whoever will be willing to work with us,” he said in Tana River when he accompanied Mr Ruto on a tour of the region. “Our MPs have been talking of supporting Mr Ruto for Presidency in 2022, but have they asked him if he is also ready to support a presidential candidate from the Coast region?” posed Mr Kingi.

Mr Kingi and Mr Joho, both serving their final terms as governors, have said they will vie for Presidency. Mr Kingi is expected to use the yet-to be formed coastal party as his vehicle while the Mombasa governor is expected to stick to ODM, his chance dependent on whether Mr Odinga will run for the seat or not.

“We will form our own party and then support whoever will be elected to lead the outfit to the next government in 2022,” Mr Kingi said during the burial of former Ganze MP Joseph Kingi in Bamba last month.

RECEPTION

Mr Kingi’s close allies, Mr Baya and Ms Jumwa skipped the ODM meeting despite the threats of disciplinary action. “We will not accept to be intimidated. Just like I have said, I do not have any row with ODM or the party leader, but my stand to support Mr Ruto to be President in 2022 will not change. This is my decision,” Ms Jumwa said.

As matters stand, the fight for political supremacy at Coast is between Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto.

Mr Ruto has been at the region seven times in recent months, and he has received overwhelming reception, sending shivers down the spine of Mr Odinga’s camp.

Several opposition MPs have pledged to support Mr Ruto’s quest for Presidency. Led by Mr Dori, the MPs have made it clear that they will defy threats from the opposition and campaign for Mr Ruto in 2022, accusing Mr Odinga of double standards.

FRONTRUNNER

In Kwale, Mr Dori, Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza (ANC), Kinango’s Benjamin Tayari (ODM) and Ali Mbogo of Kisauni (Wiper) promised to mobilise their supporters to back Mr Ruto. “Ruto is the frontrunner and the right candidate for the top seat,” Mr Tayari said.

But while Kwale and Kilifi have been warming up to Mr Ruto, the DP has been receiving lukewarm reception in Mombasa, Governor Joho’s stronghold.

When the DP visited Majaoni village in Kisauni to address land issues in the area, it is only Mr Mbogo from Mombasa who was present.

Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Mishi Mboko (Likoni) and Mohamed Ali (Nyali) were absent.