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Post by jakaswanga on Mar 4, 2012 13:47:18 GMT 3
B6K, It is my understanding that Mudavadi has been very livid at Kajwang's pronouncements. He has talked about it privately and is going to address it publicly next week when he resumes his county-to-county campaigns that were paused in respect of the two departed leaders Karume and Michuki. Meanwhile you must have noticed that Kwendo Opanga [size=2 ](himself a very close friend of Mudavadi - for lack of a better description[/size]) addressed this very issue in today's Sunday Nation. This makes me believe that camp Mudavadi is very much on its toes and are not leaving anything to chance and could have been very much in charge of the facebook statement. Here is Opanga's article: www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Kajwang+declaration+and+the+making+of+a+dictator++/-/440808/1358786/-/hchy2c/-/index.html [/quote] mwalimumkuu,I find it foolish and shallow of you to insinuate that Kwendo Opanga's rebuttal of Kajwang's guff, is, even for lack of a better description, tied to Opanga's friendship with Mudavadi. Why do you belittle Opanga's ability to disown an obvious stupidity so? Implying if he Opanga were not Mudavadi's friend, he probably would not have criticized Kajwang' on this. What a huge disgrace to the world of columnists it be, if they have to calculate the interests of their friends and pockets first, then pen articles to support such. Effectively being spinners. But well, since you seem to have an inside line in the Mudavadi court, we are now warned to read Opanga with Mudavadi's shadow over his shoulders. Or does that partiality much more reflect your thinking than Opanga's?
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Post by b6k on Mar 4, 2012 16:40:22 GMT 3
;D b6k noted however my point remains that, the so called interest on a much welcome internal democratic process is in itself (to use your words) diversionary since your?? own parties are stuck in the mud so to speak. the issue of mudavadi going for the top seat within ODM is healthy i just hope that mudavadi has actually truly weighed his options in doing so. by this i mean lets reflect on what midiwo said sometime back i.e mudavadi has to say why he thinks he is a better candidate than raila and vice versa i.e raila say why he thinks he is a better candidate and then comes the reality, having declared their reasons, then whoever wins the contest, must be pragmatic to realise that the differences reflected in their campaigns essentially mean they are at cross purposes and therefore can imply that they perhaps may not be the best running mates to each other (recall obama and clinton), because logic dictates that if they had differences but are willing to work together, then the differences are harnessed to complement each other and run not as rivals but as partnership drawing on their synergy. the moment you run against each other implies that one or both have significant differences requiring that one be free(d) from the other simply put, this gives whoever emerges as winner of this contest, the right or option to chose a different running mate. my view is that despite the democratic freedoms, these two gents can make more progress complementing their strengths as candidate and running mate, than as rivals whoever loses this contest must be prepared to slip from number 2 as well. the lieutenants of each candidate will ensure that. to put this in perspective in case of total fallout (worst case), which of these two can move on to form a new party and carry his "independent" support base intact? i really don't think mudavadi has his backyard totally under his control and any movement out will split support with the likes of wamalwa, jirongo and kombo or similar who have been waiting on the sidelines. his only option would be to jump into any predesigned vehicle like UDF where his clout is significantly diminished by the schemers in control of the vehicle its just not a bright gamble but i hope he knows what he's doing TNK I think that's a fair enough assessment. Whoever who loses the battle royale will find seeking the VP post to be untenable, much like it played out for Hillary. MM, being the younger of the two, stands to lose more as that could be a career ender. Raila is on his last ditch attempt so it's all or nothing. As for "my" party being stuck in the mud, I'm yet to identify the right "monkey" (politician) or "mbus" (as Kiraitu would call a political party). Early days yet....
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Post by jakaswanga on Mar 4, 2012 18:01:21 GMT 3
;D b6k noted however my point remains that, the so called interest on a much welcome internal democratic process is in itself (to use your words) diversionary since your?? own parties are stuck in the mud so to speak. the issue of mudavadi going for the top seat within ODM is healthy i just hope that mudavadi has actually truly weighed his options in doing so. by this i mean lets reflect on what midiwo said sometime back i.e mudavadi has to say why he thinks he is a better candidate than raila and vice versa i.e raila say why he thinks he is a better candidate and then comes the reality, having declared their reasons, then whoever wins the contest, must be pragmatic to realise that the differences reflected in their campaigns essentially mean they are at cross purposes and therefore can imply that they perhaps may not be the best running mates to each other (recall obama and clinton), because logic dictates that if they had differences but are willing to work together, then the differences are harnessed to complement each other and run not as rivals but as partnership drawing on their synergy. the moment you run against each other implies that one or both have significant differences requiring that one be free(d) from the other simply put, this gives whoever emerges as winner of this contest, the right or option to chose a different running mate. my view is that despite the democratic freedoms, these two gents can make more progress complementing their strengths as candidate and running mate, than as rivals whoever loses this contest must be prepared to slip from number 2 as well. the lieutenants of each candidate will ensure that. to put this in perspective in case of total fallout (worst case), which of these two can move on to form a new party and carry his "independent" support base intact? i really don't think mudavadi has his backyard totally under his control and any movement out will split support with the likes of wamalwa, jirongo and kombo or similar who have been waiting on the sidelines. his only option would be to jump into any predesigned vehicle like UDF where his clout is significantly diminished by the schemers in control of the vehicle its just not a bright gamble but i hope he knows what he's doing TNK I think that's a fair enough assessment. Whoever who loses the battle royale will find seeking the VP post to be untenable, much like it played out for Hillary. MM, being the younger of the two, stands to lose more as that could be a career ender. Raila is on his last ditch attempt so it's all or nothing. As for "my" party being stuck in the mud, I'm yet to identify the right "monkey" (politician) or "mbus" (as Kiraitu would call a political party). Early days yet.... b6k, If loosing a leadership run means ones career is ruined, that would be a dangerous statement on democracy. Just like Hillary went on to campaign for and serve in Obama's cabinet, I would expect the ODM looser [be he Raila or Mudamba] to continue to play a heavy role in the party. And if the interests of the party be put paramount, I think the ticket either way [R-M or M-R] is still the most formidable ODM can launch. Managing defeated ambitions is still one of the greatest selling points of democracy. But we are still young and learners on this path, and the way the youth solve their differences is not always the way of the mature!
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Mar 4, 2012 21:28:47 GMT 3
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Post by phil on Mar 5, 2012 18:28:17 GMT 3
ODM joint session of Parlimentary Group / NEC meeting still on going.
And contrary to some twitter reports of heated exchanges, the meeting is cordial and sober.
More updates later!
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Post by phil on Mar 5, 2012 19:13:12 GMT 3
After a grueling four hour meeting the joint PG/NEC meeting defers decision on amendment to party constitution on method to be used to nominate party presidential candidate. The press conference was attended by both the party leader and its deputy.
Raila had joined the meeting halfway which was by then being chaired by Mudavadi.
The party shall otherwise be embark on a new recruitment drive from sub-location level. The ODM continues to make itself compliant to the new constitution. The party shall also support the devolution bill in parliament.
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Post by b6k on Mar 5, 2012 19:54:54 GMT 3
After a grueling four hour meeting the joint PG/NEC meeting defers decision on amendment to party constitution on method to be used to nominate party presidential candidate. Hehehe. This is how it always plays out at Orange House. Defer, delay, postpone. Nothing new from KE's most progressive party...
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Mar 5, 2012 20:01:25 GMT 3
After a grueling four hour meeting the joint PG/NEC meeting defers decision on amendment to party constitution on method to be used to nominate party presidential candidate. The press conference was attended by both the party leader and its deputy. Raila had joined the meeting halfway which was by then being chaired by Mudavadi. The party shall otherwise be embark on a new recruitment drive from sub-location level. The ODM continues to make itself compliant to the new constitution. The party shall also support the devolution bill in parliament. Nothing new, we have seen all these before with photo ops to boot, but the end is always the same. Meanwhile consider this: the-star.co.ke/national/national/65272-mudavadi-raila-showdown-loomsMy reading of article 6.2.1 a and b does not seem to agree with the said committee is saying. The article seems to suggests that whomever is nominated the presidential candidate becomes the automatic party leader. I may be wrong though for lack of a lawyery mind.
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Post by b6k on Mar 6, 2012 5:52:44 GMT 3
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Post by phil on Mar 6, 2012 11:58:22 GMT 3
b6k and @malimumkuu You guys aint going to dictate the pace at which ODM will decide it's nominations rules. What with your impatience on a matter that's essentially none of your business? ODM is a political party with a constitution. It is also without a doubt, the most compliant to the new national constitution. ODM will not lose sight of its objectives merely because so and so wants the party to adopt a certain voting pattern. ODM will certainly not bend rules to accomodate every other individual requirement. ODM will not be controlled by what is reported in the shamlessly partisan media in Kenya.
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Post by nok on Mar 6, 2012 12:42:31 GMT 3
Ultimately, the symbiosis and synergy effect should be the most
determining factor.
As long us the two ( RAO and Muds) remain on the same side,
their chances are greatest. It's a case of a pregnant Mother and
her Fetus. If the umbilical cord is cut , there will be huge
hemorrhage and both risk a life threatening complication.
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Post by b6k on Mar 6, 2012 13:08:50 GMT 3
b6k and @malimumkuu You guys aint going to dictate the pace at which ODM will decide it's nominations rules. What with your impatience on a matter that's essentially none of your business? ODM is a political party with a constitution. It is also without a doubt, the most compliant to the new national constitution. ODM will not lose sight of its objectives merely because so and so wants the party to adopt a certain voting pattern. ODM will certainly not bend rules to accomodate every other individual requirement. ODM will not be controlled by what is reported in the shamlessly partisan media in Kenya. Phil, as long as ODM remains a party in Kenya it is my business as a citizen of Kenya. Just as much as KANU, G7, PNU, APK, POA, UDF, URP & whatever other acronym exists at the registrar of parties is my business. Since they all seek my vote, you can bet your last shilling I can have an opinion about any one of them 24-7, 365. Nowhere is is it written that only party members can discuss a particular party's affairs. As for the partisan press, I suggest you first launch an Orange newspaper, slowly work your way up to a radio station, & eventually break into TV broadcasting...
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Post by gemagema on Mar 6, 2012 17:11:04 GMT 3
ODM is a political party with a constitution. It is also without a doubt, the most compliant to the new national constitution. ODM will not lose sight of its objectives merely because so and so wants the party to adopt a certain voting pattern. ODM will certainly not bend rules to accomodate every other individual requirement. ODM will not be controlled by what is reported in the shamlessly partisan media in Kenya. Now, that is close to a serious Mission Statement. Anyways, whether the ODM primaries will be compromised or not, at least let them be an example to the other 'Maji Bure" political parties (that have already ordained their flag bearers through dictatorship - yet they are headed to 'Den Haag") that there exists democracy in ODM. That Raila is after all not a dictator (albeit a clandestine/behind the scenes) As for Mudavadi, I really pity him - He is gonna loose big time whether in ODM or G7. Westerners will only back Muda if he poses a strong candidacy, which can only be achieved if he runs in ODM. Mudavadi on his own cannot even beat Wamalwa - the bukusu's who are a unified voting bloc, and also large in number, will never vote a Maragoli... unless under the ODM umbrella. On the other, Mudavadi's hope within the G7 yard remains very tricky too..will Uhuruto damp Wamalwa for Mudavadi?
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Post by genius on Mar 6, 2012 17:33:17 GMT 3
This reminds me a lot of the William Ruto saga and the saga of Kalonzo Musyoka before him. Seems to me like Mudavadi is convinced he is the most electable presidential candidate. But is sure he will not get the ODM ticket either unfairly or fairly. He's just looking for a reason to bolt from ODM. No concessions ODM make will satisfy him, wait and see. Even if they agree to do the nominations at country level, he will just find another reason to keep fighting.
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Post by phil on Mar 6, 2012 18:06:51 GMT 3
genius, Mudavadi has suddenly seen the light. That Kibaki could win it so easily in 2002 is something that inspires false confidence among those who aspire to be presidents. Within ODM, we know who are for the party and who are not. I was having a drink at Shauri Moyo with buddies the other day, and no could find an answer for the loss of the Ikolomani by-elections by ODM, a party whose deputy leader was nominated to lead campaigns in an area supposedly considered a stronghold for himself individually and also for the party at large. This is the same character who has never been rated at any presidential opinion poll and even Mr. 10% Kalonzo Musyoka is doing better than himself. Not only was Ikolomani loss embarrassing for ODM, it left a bitter tastes in our mouths because none other than Mudavadi expressly blocked the defection of Khalwale to ODM prior to the by-election because he fears indirect competition from Khalwale for the Kakamega senator seat. I ask myself, if Raphael Tuju or Shem Ochuodho or any other anti-ODMer could have been elected at the general election (let alone a by-election) in a different party ticket within Raila's stronghold in Nyanza, the press that is glorifying Mudavadi now could most probably be writting Raila's political obituary. Why not for Mudavadi. One need not to be a nuclear scientists to see how the media is fanning the false war in ODM. What do they fear? We welcome healthy competition within the party, but the party is not there to massage the ego of any leader be it Raila or Mudavadi. This is a message that came out very clearly in the NEC meeting yesterday. This is the message the party leadrship is getting from the ground. In any case, the party rules are not cast in stone and can be amended in accordance with laid down proceadures. Meanwhile, party members wannabe's like b6k and Mwalimumkuu are more than welcome to join as members of ODM and lend Mudavadi some support internally so we can get rid of this so called 'dictatorship' that I find so hard to understand. Bure kabisa. Not every can be president in a country of 40million people. And ot everyone can pull a Barrack Obama. Sometimes one needs to look at the bigger picture. Gideon Moi told us some of these presidential bids is akin to imagining Sunderland winning the premiership. I totally agree with him.
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Post by mangai on Mar 6, 2012 19:51:10 GMT 3
Let Musalia be. Not long ago some people were chest thumbing on how Raila could do away with Mudavadi with very minimal consequences. Mudavadi was aware of those machinations. Don't always take people for granted. It is now payback time.
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Post by b6k on Mar 6, 2012 21:07:03 GMT 3
Meanwhile, party members wannabe's like b6k and Mwalimumkuu are more than welcome to join as members of ODM and lend Mudavadi some support internally so we can get rid of this so called 'dictatorship' that I find so hard to understand. Bure kabisa. Phil, makofi kwako! I believe I've conceded right here on Jukwaa, to TNK I believe, that if Mudavadi was the flag-bearer I would join ODM & support him. An ODM without both Ruto & Raila would be a party with less rogues & ogres & would become, at the same time, less odious & more palatable. So for once you are spot on!
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Mar 6, 2012 21:41:25 GMT 3
Phil,
Nimekuvumilia sana ndugu yangu. Like Njamba, if you were close to me I would smack your lips vibaya sana, you should know people. Heheheheheheeee!!
Anyways my friend, I know and very well understand how tormenting it must be for any ODM hawk at the moment, not with Mudavadi threatening to stall the Mugithi train that was already heading nowhere.
However, if you caste your emotions aside and look at things for what they are, you will realize that Mudavadi is actually helping ODM. You've seen the excitement he has aroused all over the country, not in Embu not in Eldoret, everywhere.
If I were Raila, I would not fight this idea, I would support it to the hilt and in fact endorse Musalia. After all at 70 what else can Raila do for Kenya that he never did at his prime? What can he do as president that he has not done as PM?
He should be honorable enough and join his fellow octogenarians (Moi and Kibaki) in retirement and together attend funerals and preach and pray for Kenyans. With his gift of kitendawili and narratives of how he used to throw stones on the streets of Nairobi, Kenyans will still cheer him and make him feel happy. That is what statesmen do, they know when to call it a day.
Otherwise fighting Mudavadi is going to end his political career vibaya sana. The Kajwangs who are urging him to spoil for a fight are only interested in using his name to win governor seats, they will not care where he ends up. They will not even remember that there used to be a Raila among their ranks. Tell your man to wisen up, the writing is on the wall. Remember the 3 am funeral? It is right here with us.
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Post by adongo23456 on Mar 6, 2012 22:15:44 GMT 3
mwalimumkuu,
Many people who furiously promised the country about the emminent end of Raila are now safely snoring in their graves. The man is still around and there is a new breed of people trying to make a career of predicting Raila's end.
Go slow my friend. That route has been very unkind to the predictors. It is a thankless job. If I took a penny everytime the sure shot Raila "experts" yelled and screamed day and night about the demise of Raila I would be a loaded man with cash. Otherwise screaming about Raila all the time will sure just load you with gas which you may eventually have to let go when your so called predictions look as stupid as the ones before the them. It is a long list. Trust me.
And boy were they ever sure. The man was supposed to be finished in the 1980s - 1982 for sure, 1988. Then came the 1990s, surely this time he was gone 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998. Wapi. 2002 he was definitely finished. 2005, 2007, 2008/9, 10, 11 and now 2012. Some of you may not have been born when this man was supposed to be finished. At the rate we are going, you might be long gone before this man is finished.
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Post by einstein on Mar 6, 2012 22:23:28 GMT 3
Please give us the correct link. The one above is about "Jurisdiction, Admissibility And Impartiality: Reflections On The Icc Ruling" and not about "Mudavadi's courageous bid to be the flag-bearer."
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Post by b6k on Mar 6, 2012 23:38:21 GMT 3
Mudavadi Rocks Presidential Race By Michael Rigby 02 Mar 2012
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has sprung from political obscurity to launch a sensational bid for the presidency, which is threatening Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s invincibility in Orange Democratic Movement party. Until two months ago, Mr Mudavadi was considered a fringe candidate unable to venture out of the shadow of a domineering Raila – he never featured on the radar of poll ratings and, when he did, it was often in the single-digit levels. The Sabatia MP has untagged the label of a political coward content with playing second fiddle, by taking on the PM in the race for the ODM presidential ticket, with uncharacteristic aggressiveness that has confounded friends and foes. His campaign for ODM’s presidential nomination ticket appears to have upset the apple cart within the Orange party, where Raila’s allies are scrambling to contain him, while rivals are gleefully following the Orange feud with expectancy. Prof Munene Macharia, a political analyst, suggests that with this bold step, the former Vice President is emerging as a main player in the elections for the country’s fourth President. “He is going to be a force in the forthcoming elections, one way or the other,” he told The Nairobi Law Monthly. Mr Mudavadi, seeking to consolidate the Luhya vote, has acquired spine. “The Kakamega-Bungoma axis is pressing him to go all the way,” argues Prof Macharia, who is a senior lecturer of history and international relations at the United States International University. Mr Mudavadi has piqued the PM’s camp not only by his declaration to challenge the ODM party leader but also his push for the party primaries to be held at the counties. While initially his move was welcomed as demonstrating ODM’s healthy internal democracy, perhaps under the illusion he had no mettle to pose serious competition, it has lately touched the panic buttons. The recent secret meeting of a team of senior ODM leaders dramatically dubbed the Orange Rapid Response Team to officially cement party unity, but largely understood as an attempt to brow-beat Mr Mudavadi, is pointer to a rattled party. Divisions have emerged among the party’s top brass over the matter, with Water Minister Charity Ngilu, a member of the Pentagon, backing Mr Mudavadi to press on with his campaign. Ministers Fred Gumo, William Ntimama, Dalmas Otieno and James Orengo were among those present at the secret talks to explore how to contain the rivalry. Mr Mudavadi has dismissed the mission, saying he will not back down and warned against unorthodox means to settle the contest. Instructively, an ODM parliamentary group meeting announced earlier did not materialise and the informal talks by ODM ministers appear to have been the alternative, at least for now. The PM’s allies had been quoted saying at the PG that Mr Mudavadi, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of the ODM wing of the Grand Coalition government, would be asked to explain his sudden upsurge and why he feels he is better than the party leader. It could have been shelved to avoid a confrontation given that MPs especially from Western have backed Mr Mudavadi – and party chiefs instead opted for the informal meeting to soften the ground first. How the party picks its presidential nominee could turn out to be the poisoned chalice. Mr Mudavadi proposes that the 47 counties be used as polling centres, bringing together 60 women, men and youth each, per county, to form an electoral college. This creates 180 delegates for each of the counties, with the voting being supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the results transmitted to a national tallying centre. But Mr Raila’s allies have insisted on a national delegates conference to pick the flag bearer, a system Mr Mudavadi’s camp views as designed to influence voters. The PM’s camp fears that voting at county level presents landmines particularly in Rift Valley, Central and Eastern, claiming possible infiltration by rivals. Mr Mudavadi is adamant that he was merely articulating a method proposed by the party’s National Executive Committee and the Parliamentary Group and approved by the National Governing Council. “What remains and is prudent to do is to ratify the method at a National Delegates Conference. Anyone opposed to the method is hypocritical and reneging on a democratic process,” Mr Mudavadi said in a statement on his official Facebook page. Prof Larry Gumbe, an ODM operative, downplayed the conflict about the mode of the nomination, saying delegates would decide on the matter next month. “Whether through counties or at the centre,” says Prof Gumbe, “that really is a non-issue. The delegates will meet this month and decide.” If the nomination goes the county way, chances are high Mr Mudavadi may grab the party’s ticket,” according to Prof Macharia of USIU. “The pressure is on him to go all the way,” he says. “Initially he wasn’t meant to cause problems, but project the image of ODM’s internal democracy and then lose graciously to Raila. He, however, appears serious and suddenly there is panic in ODM.” ODM chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo has questioned Mr Mudavadi’s motive in challenging the party boss. “Even in America I do not think we have a scenario where President Barack Obama changes positions with his deputy Joe Biden to run for the presidency,” Mr Midiwo said.
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Post by b6k on Mar 6, 2012 23:42:29 GMT 3
A clear indication that the PM’s camp is really offended was Mr Midiwo’s blunt remark at a public gathering in Siaya that if Mr Mudavadi wins the ODM primaries, the party will lose the election, because sections of ODM followers will not support him. To taint his candidature Mr Raila’s allies claim ODM opponents have set up Mr Mudavadi against him, a veiled reference to the so-called G7 Alliance of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto. But Mr Mudavadi has dismissed as “dreamers” those suggesting he is flirting with ODM rivals. Indeed, there is talk that Mr Mudavadi is spoiling for a vicious fight within ODM to justify a walkout. Those alleging so say the ODM leader is unlikely to yield to his deputy. A break-up of the Orange party at a time rivals are cobbling a broad-based alliance could spell doom to Mr Raila’s third quest for the presidency. And since Mr Mudavadi is an affable political player and given the forces ranged against the PM, some suggest he could attract a credible alliance outside ODM. Assistant minister Kareke Mbiuki, an ally of Mr Uhuru, reportedly acknowledged that with Mr Mudavadi on the ballot paper the political equation changes dramatically. “We have floated in the idea of Mr Mudavadi in the mix and we are amazed it is very popular within our ranks and some of us want to go to bed with it,” Mr Mbiuki was quoted telling a local daily referring to the G7 search for compromise candidates. Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale contends Mr Mudavadi will wrestle the ODM ticket from the PM, but observes the Lang’ata MP will abandon the party. “ODM finally has responded to imminent split by forming the Rapid Response Team that will be transformed to the RRP (Rapid Response Party) which Raila will defect to after losing to Mudavadi in ODM nominations,” Dr Khalwale said mocking the PM’s knack for converting euphoric movements into a party. Prof Gumbe, however, disagrees saying the party will emerge stronger after a competitive primary and will focus on winning the elections. “In the event that Raila wins Mudavadi remains in the party. Should Mudavadi win Raila, too, will stay in ODM because it will look bad for him to bolt,” he said. Prof Gumbe posits that contrary to suggestions the publicity arising from Mr Mudavadi’s campaigns is harmful it shores up the party’s popularity. Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba says ODM has no choice but to embrace the outcome of the contest. “If he (Mudavadi) wins the ODM presidential ticket , his party has no choice but to rally its forces around him. Equally if he loses the nomination, he has to rally support around the ultimate candidate,” Mr Namwamba said. Prof Macharia, though, has some caution: “If they play dirty against him or he is viewed to have been mistreated he will be free to seek the presidency on an alternative ticket.” Competitive primaries, according to Prof Gumbe, would also help the party to solve another headache presidential candidates are grappling with: the choice of running mate. “When you conduct systematic and democratic party nominations, the winner is crowned the party’s presidential nominee and the runners up naturally becomes the running mate,” he said. Indeed the resurgence of Mr Mudavadi can be traced to events within the party, including suggestions at some point that he was no longer viable to be Raila’s running mate. At the time those pressing the change-the-running-mate crusade argued that a Raila-Mudavadi front could be a political liability in 2012 polls because it would be viewed as “too Western”. They pointed to the need to respond to the political realignments, with suggestions that Mr Raila pick his running mate from Central Kenya or Rift Valley, to appease the region that has drifted away from the Orange party. An opinion poll last year by Synovate indicated Mr Mudavadi, who was Raila’s running mate in the 2007 elections, is relegated to second position with only 22 per cent of Mr Raila’s supporters confident his partnership with the PM would win. With Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa exciting the western region as well with his declaration for the presidency while in the company of Mr Uhuru and Ruto, Mudavadi’s political space was increasingly shrinking. Mr Mudavadi’s camp did not take kindly these manoeuvres, which were interpreted to undermine his political worth. It had been whispered within ODM that the DPM would receive the party’s backing for the post of Nairobi Governor as a soft landing for his being elbowed out as Raila’s running mate. It’s understood that rather than wait for the humiliation, Mr Mudavadi chose to take the battle to Mr Raila, projecting himself as ODM’s alternative to deflect the hostility courted by the PM. And on December 24, after ODM party polls, Mr Mudavadi invited newly elected ODM delegates from Western at Moi Vokoli Girls High School for a meeting at which he announced his plans for high office. Ever since, he has crisscrossed the country and is rarely in the company of the PM in political meetings. That appears to have paid off with some of Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s allies like Emgwen MP Elijah Lagat, an ally of William Ruto, backing his presidential aspirations. While touring Nandi, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Baringo and Uasin Gishu counties, delegates told Mr Mudavadi the region was not ready to support Raila and would rather his candidature.
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Post by b6k on Mar 6, 2012 23:45:17 GMT 3
Nonetheless, Mr Namwamba, ODM parliamentary group secretary, says he does not understand the sensational attention Mudavadi’s candidature has attracted. “This is not the first time that Musalia has burst into the national political arena. He has been VP and he was viewed as a main player in the 2002 Moi succession. In fact he genuinely believed he was the heir apparent,” he argued. He added: “Besides angling for the national seat in 2002 he contested in ODM’s presidential nominations in 2007, coming second to Raila. He is simply at it again. Why then is everybody viewing Mudavadi as any different from other candidates?” However, Mr Namwamba says ODM is founded on a platform of liberty and it has no option but to embrace open competition. He added it would be a betrayal of its democratic ideals if the forces peddling the falsehood that Mudavadi’s candidature is the handiwork of ODM opponents were allowed to prevail in their campaign to block his candidature. “In 2007 what were the forces behind Mudavadi? Why didn’t they raise a ruckus then? Mudavadi is a candidate like any other. He simply adds another angle to the presidential race just like Uhuru, Ruto and Raila do,” said Mr Namwamba. Mars Group CEO Mwalimu Mati concurred saying: “I don’t think it’s a big issue. In 2007, he ran for the ODM presidential ticket and I don’t see the reason for the commotion.” Mr Mati, Safina Party chairman, added: “Internal party democracy is paramount to the new Kenya. Backroom deals are no longer acceptable. Competition is good to ensure people aspiring for the presidency are taken through certain processes to explain their stand on various issues.”
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Post by akinyi2005 on Mar 7, 2012 0:29:18 GMT 3
b6k and mwalimumkuu (with a total 75 posts between them on this thread alone ;D ;D)
hope you guys are beginning to see that this is really a storm in a tea cup. nothing extraordinary has happened the odm house hasn't imploded and mudavadi and raila are still at it - just like what we are seeing with the GOP nomination process. The candidates may come out bruised and bloodied but the party shall remain intact. way to go ODM!
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Post by tnk on Mar 7, 2012 0:36:04 GMT 3
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