Battle begins as ODM parades six of its best

The Orange Democratic Movement yesterday set the stage for a major political battle with Narc Kenya when it held its first rally in Eldoret to popularise its six presidential aspirants.

Kanu secretary general William Ruto announced that the fight for ODM Kenya's flag-bearer will pit experienced politicians Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi against the young turks team of Uhuru Kenyatta, Najib Balala and himself.

The party received a major boost when Mr Kenyatta, who had recently skipped ODM meetings, joined other leaders at the rally and vowed to work with them.

"We will remain united in ODM-Kenya until we form the government after next year’s General Election. Kanu lost in 2002 because LDP joined hands with NAK and defeated us. There’s no problem if we must unite to remove the Kibaki government," Mr Kenyatta said.

Through a show of hands, Mr Kenyatta led the crowd in supporting Kanu’s involvement in ODM Kenya.

"Kibaki could easily have been re-elected next year but he failed the exam when he failed to implement a memorandum of understanding agreed between NAK and LDP prior to the 2002 polls," Mr Kenyatta said.

He said parties must be built in the interest of Kenyans and not leaders.

"The time for tribalism has come to an end. Unity must be for a purpose and that purpose is for the unity of 30 million Kenyans," Mr Kenyatta told a packed rally at Eldoret’s 64 Stadium.

Mr Musyoka defended foreign trips by party members, saying they were aimed at networking with other parties abroad.

"The foreign trips by the party leaders are not aimed at undermining the government but to network with other progressive parties abroad on how to cherish democracy," he said.

He said that unlike the Narc coalition, the coalition by ODM-K was built on democratic ideals aimed at improving the socio-economic welfare of Kenyans.

The Mwingi North MP expressed confidence that ODM-K would remain united and form the government after next year’s elections.

He vowed to support whoever wins the presidential nomination. 

"The democracy that exists in the party dictates that we support whoever emerges a winner to be our flag-bearer in next year polls," said Mr Kalonzo.

Mr Odinga, who spoke last, moved the crowd when he swore never to leave ODM-K and vowed to support whoever wins the presidential nomination.

Mr Odinga said that ODM-Kenya leaders were united and those thinking the party will break were "dreaming".

"I Raila Amollo Odinga vows to ensure unity of ODM-Kenya. So help me God. I will support anyone who wins the nominations," he said to the amusement of the crowd.

He said ODM-Kenya was sure of winning next year’s elections and described its main competitor, Narc-Kenya, as tribal. The party was the same as the Democratic Party, he said.

Mr Ruto said ODM-K leaders were mature, understood the current politics and will not be divided.

He said the party supporters should be prepared to choose between the young turks and experienced politicians who the party's torch-bearer will be.

He said that Mr Odinga, Mr Mudavadi and Mr Musyoka had many years of experience in politics. However, all should be prepared to support whoever won the nominations.

"Our interest is what ODM will do for ordinary Kenyans," Mr Ruto said.

Top officials

He claimed that Kass FM, which was closed ahead of last year’s referendum before being re-opened, was closed again yesterday by the government so that it could not broadcast yesterday’s rally.

But a top official of the radio station separately told the Nation the closure was technical.

Mr Mudavadi said he should be elected presidential candidate as he was both youthful and experienced.

The former Sabatia MP accused the government of launching a smear campaign against ODM leaders.

He denied involvement in the Anglo Leasing type of scandals saying ministers did not sign contracts.

He further accused government of issuing permits to ODM rivals to hold demos to disrupt its rallies in Western Province.

Mr Balala, the Mvita MP, said the battle for next year’s polls will be a replay of last year's referendum contest.

"ODM-Kenya will remain united until it takes over the country’s leadership after next year’s General Election," said Mr Balala.

He also vowed to support whoever wins the party's presidential nominations.

In what they called the Eldoret Declaration, which was read by secretary general Anyang Nyong’o, the six presidential hopefuls vowed to remain united in ODM-K and support whoever wins.

They spelt out the new party’s vision – better life for Kenyans.

Narok North MP William ole Ntimama used the occasion to deny any involvement in Anglo Leasing type scandals.

Mwatate MP Marsden Madoka warned the presidential hopefuls that they will be isolated if they failed to accept the results of the nomination.

"The only people who can make ODM-K to break are the presidential aspirants and we are warning them here that they risk isolation if they break away from the party after the nominations," Mr Madoka said. 

Westlands MP Fred Gumo said Kenyans voted for President Kibaki expecting a lot. 

"They are now running Kenya like a10-member board of directors and we are wondering if they really wanted change for Kenyans," Mr Gumo said.

He claimed the Anglo Leasing list produced by Justice minister Martha Karua was meant to taint ODM-K leaders. 

"If you hear that there is a thief in a house and then you go to the house and he runs leaving whatever he wanted to steal only for you to carry it and go away who will be branded as a thief?" Mr Gumo asked.

Echoing Mr Gumo’s sentiments, Mathioya MP Joseph Kamotho said Finance ministers have to append signatures for the country’s expenditure.

It would be absurd, he said, if all former Finance ministers from 1963 up to 2003 were to be prosecuted.

He accused the government of lying to Kenyans that the economy had grown by 5.8 per cent while most Kenyans are living from hand to mouth.

Mwingi South MP David Musila said the Narc government had wasted four years which could have been used to uplift Kenyans' livelihoods.

The rally was attended by more than 40 MPs allied to ODM-K and marked the start of campaigns to popularise the six presidential hopefuls from whom they will be expected to choose the torch-bearer.

Earlier, MPs watched as interim chairman Henry Kosgey launched the campaign that will eventually take them to all provincial headquarters in the country.

The rally, the first since the party was registered two weeks ago, will be followed by another today in Kakamega's Muliro Gardens and in Kisumu tomorrow.