Mbadi calls out leaders in ODM succession bid

The fight for the control of the Orange party deepened yesterday after the national chairman John Mbadi told top officials to stop premature succession politics.

In particular Mbadi told former governors Ali Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) who are deputy party leaders and are at the centre of the fight to provide leadership as they await guidance on the next steps.

Said Mbadi: “In the meantime, I call on the two deputy party leaders Ali Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, both tested and tried leaders in their own right, to provide leadership at this critical moment and await guidance on the next steps.”

The duo deputise Opposition leader Raila Odinga who is set to vie for the African Union Commission chair seat next year.

Addressing a news conference yesterday, Mbadi told a section of ODM lawmakers engaged in the said fight to cease and desist from engaging in unnecessary politics on grounds that the move could polarise the party especially at the time they are in the transition period.

Distabilise party

Mbadi said the party will not allow attempts from either party supporters or leadership to destabilise an outfit that has taken long for them to form.

He said: “A few weeks ago, party leader Hon Raila Odinga indicated that he will be pursuing interests beyond the country but he would keep tabs on the party and continue offering guidance when needed.

Since then, a number of people have expressed interest in going for various leadership positions and a robust debate has ensued on how best to ensure that the top leadership of the party is broad and inclusive enough to take care of the very diverse party membership and interest base.”

He added: “I call on fellow leaders and those aspiring to lead to ensure their actions and utterances unites not divide the party. We have a duty to ensure our actions and utterances reassure the party support base instead of causing more uncertainty and panic.

“I fear that the actions and utterances of the last few days are not in the best interest of the party or those of the Party Leader who is keen on an orderly, inclusive and impactful agenda for the party.”

Speaking in parliament, Mbadi who said he had been in consultation with Raila, said before the party is handed over to any person to take charge, a few processes will have to kick in.

He said that with regards to the upcoming grassroots elections, Raila will on Tuesday next week chair the Central Management Committee where the new dates of the grassroots elections will be announced.

Elections committee missing

He however said that the said drive could be postponed as the election’s committee is yet to be formed.

He said: “As Chairman and in consultation with the Party Leader, we are proud of the massive interest but I however appeal to our people, those who want to lead and those who simply want the party to remain strong to exercise caution, restraint and moderation.”

He added: “We are having the Central Management Committee on Tuesday next week to decide whether we will hold grass roots elections as planned, we may not have elections in April as was planned.”

Already Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have all expressed interest to take over from Raila as the party leader.

Said Wandayi: “I may present my name for that position. As you all know, I have studied Baba for a very long time since I was 20 years old and now, I am 50. This is a long time so nothing stops me from presenting my name for such a position if it were to fall vacant, an eventuality that I don’t foresee now and in the near future.’”

The sentiments by Mbadi came just a day after a section of MPs from the Coast region endorsed Joho as their preferred political kingpin and subsequently vowing to overwhelmingly support his 2027 presidential quest.

The latest to endorse Joho as the regional kingpin is Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) chairman and Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako, who said the former governor has demonstrated the political zeal and will to lead regional unity and prosperity of the country.

“Coast has made a declaration. This time we are not going to be divided, we have endorsed our own, and any leader who goes against us will ask people to vote them out,” Mwashako said.

Speaking in Taru, Kwale on Monday during a food distribution exercise, which was attended by a host of legislators from across the Coast region, Mwashako asked all the legislators under the CPG umbrella to remain united and front Joho as their preferred presidential candidate in the next polls.

“We are telling party leader Raila Odinga, don’t think twice, we as Coast region have endorsed Joho for party leader, and we know he is able to fly the ODM flag to State House,” said Mwashako.