Raila to chair ODM top organ over Nairobi deputy governor post
ODM has convened a meeting of a key decision-making organ to hammer a deal on its nominee for the Nairobi deputy governor slot.
The Star has established that party leader Raila Odinga will on Wednesday hold a meeting with the lean Central Management Committee—a crucial organ that has weeping powers on party decisions.
This even as it emerged that there are jitters within the party over reports that Jubilee might go against a gentleman's agreement and name the deputy governor.
The nomination of the city deputy governor will dominate the agenda of the Wednesday meeting. There are reports that a decision will be made on two names that are under consideration.
Former Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro, ODM women league chairperson Beth Siengo and party secretary-general Edwin Sifuna are among the big names being touted for the post.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila are said to have struck a deal to create a handshake government in Nairobi after the fall of ex-county boss Mike Sonko.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGA
Anne Kananu, who was on Friday sworn in as deputy governor, on Monday took over office as acting governor from county assembly speaker Benson Mutura.
She is expected to name a deputy after being sworn in as governor within the next few days, with Raila's quarters already jittery Kananu could be forced into picking a Jubilee person.
This could jolt the handshake if it happened, as ODM is angling for the post as an appreciation of its goodwill for the Uhuru administration.
“We are going to hold a meeting on Wednesday when the ultimate decision will be made about the ODM party's nominee for the Nairobi DG's position,” said a senior ODM official.
The official, who declined to go on record on the intrigues surrounding the nomination, said the final decision had yet to be made.
“There have been proposals from among members on the party's internal candidates but quite a lot will decide on who carries the day although we are aware of schemes by some people in Jubilee to front one of their own,” the official said.
ODM national officials yesterday held a lengthy meeting in what was said to be a strategy session. When contacted over the unfolding intrigues, chairman John Mbadi and Sifuna said they were in a meeting.
Image: LAMECK BARAZA
ODM politicians have maintained that once Kananu is sworn in as governor, the DG's post should be taken up by one of their members to foster the spirit of the handshake.
“The DG position belongs to the handshake candidate and in my understanding that candidate comes from Nyanza," claimed Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo at the weekend.
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