The two buried the hatchet at a reconciliation meeting held at the Bomas of Kenya which was chaired by the party National Chairman Henry Kosgey/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 10 – Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa and Housing Assistant Minister Bishop Margaret Wanjiru on Tuesday resolved to end their rivalry and work together to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the city ahead of the General Election.
The two buried the hatchet at a reconciliation meeting held at the Bomas of Kenya which was chaired by the party National Chairman Henry Kosgey.
The two had vied for the Chairmanship of ODM Nairobi County in last year’s party elections which Aladwa won but the ODM Elections Board has nullified.
Bishop Wanjiru had led a walk-out by delegates from her Starehe constituency terming the poll a sham and accused her competitors of using people who were not genuine party delegates to win the election.
Addressing party delegates drawn from all the city’s eight constituencies on Tuesday, Aladwa said the interest of the party should supersede anyone’s interest.
“Bishop and I met the Party Leader (Raila Odinga) this morning and we resolved as mature politicians to stop this cold war and build our party in Nairobi,” said Aladwa.
Aladwa said he was happy that the party will now move on with its activities in the city adding that he will ensure all members and supporters of the party from the two warring factions work on harmony as a family.
“Let us work as brothers and sisters and unite all our supporters instead of fighting,” he added.
Aladwa was elected through the queue voting system in disputed polls on Sunday.
Aladwa who was backed by seven chairmen from city branches was elected unopposed after Stephen Kariuki from Starehe constituency pulled out of the race following disagreements on the voting system.
On her part, Bishop Wanjiru called on supporters from both sides to forget the past and build a stronger ODM in Nairobi.
“Let us not be engaged in petty issues, we should work hard to popularise our candidate Raila Odinga,” said Bishop Wanjiru.
She lauded Odinga for showing leadership by uniting both factions for the good of the party.
“I love my party so much and my prayer is that Dr. Odinga wins the Presidency to help build a strong and united Kenya,” she added.
Kosgey said ODM will emerge stronger ahead of the General Election and called on party members to remain steadfast in the party.
“Nairobi is the bedrock of Kenyan politics and we want a united county in ODM so that we can sweep all the seats in the City in the election,” said Kosgey.
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