Prime Minister Ralia Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy in the party and Government Musalia Mudavadi on Monday met top ODM leaders who are worried their rivalry is hurting the party.

Meeting after the clash over what transpired between them when Raila hosted Uganda President Yoweri Museveni in his Bondo home, the two leaders were asked to resolve emerging challenges in their bruising campaigns for the ODM presidential ticket. Those who attended the meeting included several Orange Democratic Movement ministers, Assistant ministers, and influential MPs.

The aim of the meeting, it was revealed, was to calm fears in the party that their so-called ‘political sibling rivalry’ was undermining the party months to the General Election, and opening a window for its opponents to further cast its image as a weakened movement. On the other hand, the members also wanted to plan how the nomination would be made as democratic and fair as possible to Raila and Mudavadi to ensure there would be no walkout at the end.

But even after the meeting it was clear the two leaders would sustain their campaigns. Tomorrow, Raila will take his campaign to Wamba and Maralal in Samburu, and then move to Moyale on Thursday, Isiolo on Friday, and Mumias and Matungu on Saturday.

Mudavadi has so far covered 25 counties. He was in Eastern region on Tuesday and is expected to cover Makueni, Muranga, Isiolo, and Meru between Friday and Monday.

“The Deputy Prime Minister received a call inviting him to the meeting from Lands Minister James Orengo, as we were returning from meeting ODM delegates in Kiambu,” said a source close to Mudavadi ally.

The ODM Rapid Response Team (ORRT), which was formed last week, met a few hours after Mudavadi told journalists politics was not discussed during President Yoweri Museveni’s visit.

It was resolved during the Monday meeting party National Governing Congress (NGC) set for the end of next month, would decide whether presidential nomination would be conducted at counties or by delegates in Nairobi.

Regional Development Minister, Fred Gumo, chaired the meeting at the Nairobi Safari Club. He told journalists among the key decisions reached was that Mudavadi and Raila should hold joint meetings to assure members they are not pulling apart.

They were also told to tame their allies who make unsavory remarks about those they are perceived to be against their preferred candidate.

Making promises

“The meeting was convened after Mudavadi’s team raised issues to the effect that the ORRI team was formed to check on him and to clear the air on claims the DPM was being prevailed upon to step down for the PM,” an MP, who attended the meeting told The Standard.

Gumo said after the meeting ODM officials and members were told they are free to seek party presidential ticket, as it was not preserved for anyone.

He said the meeting was convened to seek an assurance from the party leader and his deputy that whoever loses the presidential nomination would not quit.

Earlier on Monday, Mudavadi had again dismissed claims he met Raila in the presence of Museveni to discuss emerging party challenges.

He said they only talked about issues affecting trade ties between Kenya and Uganda and clarified that party issues were not discussed.

“I was invited in my capacity as the DPM and as a minister in the Government. Issues discussed were related to the two countries. We did not discuss any party matters,” added Mudavadi in dismissing claims Museveni appeared to reserve his blessings for Raila.

In what appears to be a reprimand on PM’s press secretary Dennis Onyango and Mudavadi’s Kibisu Kabatesi, party elders were also said to have resolved that public servants would no longer be allowed to speak on behalf of ODM.

“We will no longer allow non-party officials to issue statements regarding developments in ODM,” Gumo said.

East African Co-operation Minister Musa Sirma told The Standard that the PM and DPM confirmed to the leaders that irrespective of the outcome, they would stick together.

“They assured us that whoever is beaten in the nomination would concede defeat,” Sirma said.

Sirma further revealed that whoever becomes the presidential flagbearer would be free to nominate the loser as a running mate, to form a formidable team.

“We resolved that we would not allow non-members to involve themselves with ODM election affairs,” Sirma stated.

He said that whether the party delegates would pick presidential candidate at the counties or through delegates in Nairobi, had been left for NEC to resolve.

Former Makadara MP, Rueben Ndolo, said ODM secretariat was fuelling turf wars between Raila and Mudavadi claiming it had reduced the party to Raila-Mudavadi affair.

It had been suggested by Raila’s team that Mudavadi held discussions with the PM and Museveni on party ruckus. It had also been reported that the two ODM leaders also engaged Museveni and the ministers present, and later held private discussions.

The Monday meeting was categorical the tiff after the Museveni dinner, was being used by the party’s enemies to sow seeds of discord.

“We don’t want to see a situation where Raila and Mudavadi part ways. They are pillars of the party,” said the minister.

Among the issues discussed during the meeting was the need to harmonise party campaign strategy and, especially for president.

Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno is said to have floated the idea that Raila and Mudavadi hold joint campaigns through public rallies and stop the lone-ranger tactics, which he said were hurting the party.

Multiple sources in the Monday meeting confirmed that Mudavadi objected to Otieno’s proposal and stood his ground that joint rallies will be held after party nominations.

Mudavadi is also said to have called for the disbandment of the ORRT, saying it did not have a clear party mandate to engage the two leaders.

Separate campaigns

Heritage Minister and Narok North MP William ole Ntimama confirmed the caucus agreed to have Raila and Mudavadi continue their separate campaigns terming it internal party democracy.

He, however, said the party would uphold its discipline mechanisms to ensure members follow the constitution.

“I will not say what measures will be taken on errant members, but certainly ODM has to remain united,” said Ntimama.

He explained party nominations could be done at counties and at the National Delegates Conference.

Mudavadi earlier warned the party against attempting to stifle internal democracy by asking him to step down. He denied knowledge of a meeting at the Lillian Towers, Nairobi, last Wednesday, to resolved feuds between him and Raila.

During the first meeting, ten ministers, five assistant ministers, and two MPs allied to Raila met too.

By Vitalis Kimutai and Mutinda Mwanzia, The Standard

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