Registrar of political parties receives documents from ODM/MUTHONI NJUKI
NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 11 – Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said on Wednesday that he was weighing his political options after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) went ahead to file papers at the political parties registrar’s office without amending contentious clauses in the constitution.
Through a statement by his Director of Communications Kibisu Kabatesi, the DPM said he had been inundated by calls from his supporters seeking his comment and direction following Monday’s move by ODM Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o.
“Mudavadi is making a considered assessment of the situation and will soon issue a comprehensive statement on the matter,” Kabatesi said.
He said the deputy ODM leader “appreciated the mood of uncertainty and apprehension about the future of the party among members culminating in yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) action.”
The statement from the deputy prime minister’s office said it was evident there was no democracy in ODM.
“Most of the appeals suggest that members and officials of ODM feel their desires and wishes for democratic processes within the party have been betrayed by failure to amend the contentious clause and other clauses in the ODM Constitution to allow for fair nomination competition at all levels within the party,” the statement said.
The statement was issued a day after ODM filed papers with the Registrar of Political Parties with the notable absence of Mudavadi’s allies as well the party chairman Henry Kosgey, a one-time staunch ally of Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Both Mudavadi and Kosgey are now seen as having largely fallen out with the Prime Minister who is the party leader.
Kosgey appeared to break ranks with Odinga after he was named a suspect over the 2008 post election violence by the International Criminal Court, while Mudavadi’s fallout with the prime minister arises from his challenge to the PM for the party presidential ticket.
When the party filed its papers on Tuesday, Nyong’o notified the registrar that the party would amend the contentious constitution to repeal a clause that stipulates that the party leader is the automatic presidential candidate in a general election.
“The party intends to further amend Article 6(2) 1 of the constitution – the election and nomination rules. The proposals will then be submitted to the National Governing Council and to the National Delegates Convention for requisite ratifications,” Nyong’o said in a letter to the registrar.
Mudavadi has been pushing for the repeal of the clause that gives Odinga automatic nomination and wanted it amended before ODM handed over its documents to the registrar of political parties.
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