-Raila Odinga is fighting tooth and nail to be the opposition’s presidential candidate in the August General elections
-Reports also indicate that at least eight relatives of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader are targeting political posts in the August poll
- Critics and a section of ODM diehards opine the decision by Odingas to compete for political positions “en masse” could put Raila in crosshairs of some of his allies in ODM
-This comes at a time when there’s a raging debate within NASA on whether to have joint nominations or have each of the four parties go it alone
The decision by members of Raila Odinga’s family to contest for political seats is causing jitters in ODM rank and file.
ODM party leader, Raila Odinga.
Already some of the aspirants who will be contesting for political seats against the Odingas have expressed fear of bungled nominations in the Orange party.
Some Raila allies have raised concerns that the nominations will be botched to ensure Odingas secure ODM ticket to run for various political seats
Former Raila Odinga aide Eliud Owallo.
In mid December, former Raila Odinga aide Eliud Owallo lambasted ODM leadership for what he termed as attempt to impose candidates on the electorate.
“With all the pre-requisite humility and based on the catastrophic consequences of botched ODM nominations in the past, which are well within your knowledge, my plea to the party is to accord the people of Kibra and any other else for that matter, their inalienable democratic right to elect leaders as per the dictates of the constitution,” said Owallo in a letter addressed to Raila.
Rosemary Odinga has declared interest for Kibra Parliamentary seat.
The former Prime Minister’s eldest daughter Rosemary Odinga is known to have set her eyes on the Kibra seat in Nairobi.
Rosemary who is currently undergoing treatment in South Africa will be competing against the incumbent Kibra MP, Ken Okoth and former Raila aide Eliud Owallo.
By the same token, In a Facebook post about a month ago, former Raila diehard supporter, Robert Alai, who has since transformed into a bitter critic warned the opposition leader that propping up relatives in political positions could deal a blow to the former Prime Minister’s presidential dream.
Kisumu county deputy governor, Ruth Odinga.
Already, Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga has declared interest in unseating the incumbent, Jack Ranguma.
Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o, a close ally of Raila will also be contesting for the same seat.
On the other hand, Raila’s brother who is a nominated MP, Oburu Odinga, wants to run for the Bondo parliamentary seat.
According to a Nation report in mid December 2016, Rosemary's sibling, Winnie, hopes to be nominated to Parliament in order to represent interests of the youth.
NASA leaders are yet to agree on whether to have a joint nomination or have each party field candidates for various political positions.
As if that is not enough, Raila's cousin Jakoyo Midiwo will be defending his Gem seat while another cousin, Carey Rege wants to become the next Siaya Governor.
Still in Siaya, word has it that his brother-in-law and former Ambassador of Kenya to the United States, Elkana Odembo is salivating at the senatorial seat.
A section of ODM members are concerned that the Odingas’ quest for political seats is a liability to Raila as it could see his family members clash with some of Raila’s close allies,
But then there are those within the party who believe nobody should be barred from pursuing their political dreams just because of having family ties with Raila,” said a Luo Nyanza MP who requested anonymity.
Kalonzo Musyoka welcoming Ali Chirau Mwakwere when he decamped to Wiper from ODM.
The MP said fear of ODM not conducting free and fair nominations was responsible for the current exodus of incumbents and aspirants to parties like Wiper and even Jubilee.
This comes at a time when there’s a raging debate within NASA on whether to have joint nominations or have each of the four parties go it alone.