Opposition chief Raila Odinga is currently in Mombasa to chair a crucial decision-making meeting for his party, as reported by the Star. This three-day retreat comes at a critical juncture, with Parliament preparing to make a pivotal decision regarding the potential impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting began on Friday and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday. This marks the first time Raila has convened a party meeting since the impeachment process against Gachagua commenced. Allies of Gachagua are accusing the opposition of playing a role in the Deputy President’s potential downfall.
Sources from Chungwa House hinted to the Star that the relationship between ODM and UDA would also be discussed. However, top ODM officials were quick to distance the meeting from ongoing political events, emphasizing that it would focus solely on internal matters. “We are just having a NEC retreat. We are not discussing anything to do with local politics,” ODM Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi told the Star via phone. He clarified that the retreat was planned in advance, stating, “It has nothing to do with the current politics because it had been scheduled much earlier, three months ago.”
Gachagua’s supporters, including James Gakuyu (Embakasi North) and Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu, have criticized the Orange party for undermining the Kenya Kwanza vote. “I want to be very clear in this case: William Ruto and the mover of the motion could not have won this battle if Raila was not in it. Therefore, Raila came in for a purpose,” Gakuyu stated in an interview with K24 television on Friday. Nyutu added, “If ODM members vote to impeach Rigathi Gachagua, then ODM will not convince anybody that they were not brought into government with the sole purpose of kicking out the Deputy President.”
With the ouster motion now before the Senate, ODM’s 20 senators will play a crucial role in determining whether Gachagua will be impeached. He requires 23 senators to block the motion and prevent its proponents from achieving the necessary two-thirds majority for impeachment.
Osotsi further mentioned that the NEC meeting will address three main agenda items, including plans for grassroots elections set to commence next month. In April, the Orange Party had indefinitely postponed the elections, citing heavy rains that led to flooding in some regions.
“We are going to direct the National Election Coordinating Committee to commence preparations for the grassroots elections in November,” stated Osotsi. He also noted that the NEC will deliberate on and approve recent party appointments, saying, “We are going to get NEC approval for the new leaders who have been appointed to the positions, including the deputy party leaders.”
In August, ODM’s Central Management Committee chose governors Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir, along with the Vihiga senator, as the party’s deputy leaders. Additionally, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was appointed to chair meetings in Raila’s absence. As per the ODM constitution, all key decisions made by the Central Management Committee must be ratified by the NEC.
