The Orange Democratic Movement is set to officially declare its presidential candidate next week after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to resolve the paradox of whether party leader Raila Odinga will be in the race for the presidency or not. Raila who is on a second-day tour at the Coast which begun on Monday in Tanariver county said he is in no hurry for that but announced that they will use all means to ensure the BBI goes through. Already Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Kakamega governor Wyclif Oparanya declared interest in the presidential seat and will contest using the ODM ticket.
The two leaders who are deputy party leaders of ODM presented nomination papers to the party secretariat. Speaking in Dabaso in Kilifi county when the former Prime Minister went to console Devolution CAS Gideon Mung’aro and his family following the death of his uncle the late former chief inspector Japhet Mung’aro . Raila seems to be keen on the BBI agenda before making any declaration on whether he would contest in the 2022 general elections or no but he believes the reggae which was suspended will address the issues of Kenyans after the constitutional reforms.
Mvita MP on his part however rallied for a negotiated democracy among those who have declared interest .Others present already endorsed Raila as the flag bearer saying he was the father of all and should contest again this time to face off with the Deputy President William Samoe Ruto. Raila was accompanied by Junet Mohamed the ODM Director of elections and Minority chief whip , Mvita MP and Mombasa governor aspirant Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir ,Deputy governor Gideon Saburi Senator Stewart Madzayo, , nominated Senator Christine Zawadi, Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire. Others were Kilifi woman rep Getrude Mbeyu , former Malindi MP Willy Mtengo , Malindi parliamentary aspirant Phillip Charo together with a host of MCAs led by majority leader of county assembly of Kilifi Kadenge Mwathethe.
During the meeting Mungaro officially declared he would vie for the governor seat of Kilifi county to succeed Governor Amsson Kingi who is finishing his second and last term in office. Junet said he had heard the concerns of coast MPs who want to see Raila in the ballot during the 2022 General election but told them to be patient. “As a person who is in charge of elections in the party , we shall convene a National executive council meeting and we will discuss as a party so as to come with a decision on who will be the party flag-bearer,” he said. He sad they will support Raila if he will contest and shall advise them on the way forward after the NEC meeting.
The Mvita MP had earlier said they are for negotiated democracy as that would be the only way to reach to the right candidate . Nassir who initiated the calls said many people including him are hearing about the issue of presidential candidate with some saying the party has not chosen the right candidate . “I cannot talk on behalf of other parties , or alliances but I can talk on behalf of my house the house I was brought up in Politics is ODM , if one or two people exit it doesn’t mean thigs will not go on,” he said. Raila then flew to Lamu where he is alsoexpected to have a series of meetings .