Raila leaves supporters guessing yet again

It was mixed signals from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Friday as party leader Raila Odinga declared that he would follow the voice of his supporters even as party honchos said they now await his big announcement on the way forward.

Since his promise in the week at State House Mombasa of an announcement after a missed African Union Commission chairperson job push, party supporters and leaders have been expecting a rallying call on whether to work with President William Ruto or go own way.

Speaking at Bukiri Primary School, Funyula Constituency, Busia County during ODM's 20th anniversary celebrations, Raila said he would not make a hasty decision but rather, his next move will be influenced by his supporters.

"I have to ask our people to give me direction, we don't follow people anyhow and as a party we have an identity and manifesto we will continue defending and standing with the people," said Raila.

Raila went on to narrate how his party participated in creation of the new constitution, stating that devolution is not working as well as it ought to be.

"We brought devolution, but it is not doing good because money is still being held at the national government and it is not is being disbursed in plenty as required. We want to see enough money being sent to improve the health, and we want to see corruption being fought as required," said Raila.

He went on," Who support that Baba should continue consulting the people?" Raila posed amid jubilation from the crowd. "We will continue consultations and I want to assure you that we will take the stand that will have all the needs of the people and there is no joke on that." 

Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Senator James Orengo maintained their strong stand that the party should retain its political identity not to be swallowed by Kenya Kwanza a stand they have taken since word of a rapprochement between President Ruto and Raila begun to spread. 

Sifuna urged members who took an oath to remain faithful to the party and its principle of fighting for the poor to continue doing so.

"Our party members took an oath that they will always remain faithful to the party and its principle, and that should be the rallying call," said Sifuna.

He added " The ODM is still going and becoming stronger because the party has principles that stand for the poor and democracy and that is has been its identity and the people have hope in ODM to liberate Kenyans and people are expecting you to give them the direction that will be of the best interest of the party and the country."

Sifuna, however, supported the move by his party leader to traverse across the country for consultations, stating that people are waiting for the right direction.

"In 2002, you told us to vote for the late Mwai Kibaki under the Kibaki Tosha declaration, and we did the same in 2005 during the referendum that we shot down. The people have hope with the party to liberate the country and people are expecting our party leader to give them direction that will be in the best interest of the party and country," said Sifuna.

Governor Orengo echoed Sifuna’s sentiments, stating that the party has managed to remain strong due to its principle of standing with the majority courtesy of Raila’s firm stand.

"We want ODM to continue being the strongest party. The party has remained strong because of Raila's firm stand and as a principled man," said Orengo.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga maintained that ODM is a pro-people party and they will follow what their party leader will decide after conclusion of the consultation drive.

"If you walk with Baba (Raila), supports and love him as members of the party we automatically love you and as party members we encourage you to do your consultations and the direction you will take will follow it and that is why the party has managed to remain strong," said Wanga.

ODM Deputy Party leaders led by Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Mombasa Counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir, vowed to support the decision their party leader will come up with.

Arati said that the party will either form the government on its own or through a coalition.

"We want to support President Ruto for the support he accorded our leader during the AUC election. However, ODM is a national party, and it must form the government either as a party on its own or through a coalition," said Arati.

Kisumu Governor and Immediate Interim Party Leader, Professor Anyang Nyong’o, said the party must form a government in future under Raila’s direction and leadership.

"We must plan for the party in the 20 years and ODM must form a government in future, however, we will support our party leader in whatever decision he comes up with," said Nyong’o. 

Minority leader in the National Assembly Junet Mohammed and Kakamega Governor Fernades Barasa supported the move by Raila to conduct consultation among the party supporters, stating they will abide with whatever he decides.

"We support your consultations you are doing and whatever decision or direction you give we will follow because we listen to you, " said Junet.

Junet said the party will only grow based on what the people want, adding that ODM is the majority party in the assembly. He, however, condemns a section of leaders he said celebrated the loss of Raila in his quest to become the chairperson of the AUC, adding that their turn will come.