Nairobi News

Orange Democratic Movement party officials in the city want a top seat in the National Executive Committee.

The committee is the party’s top decision making organ.

Nairobi County ODM chairman George Aladwa said their choice was Governor Evans Kidero for the post of deputy chairman.

The branch also wants former Speaker Kenneth Marende to be Chairman, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho as Deputy Party Leader and Siaya Senator James Orengo as Secretary General.

Mr Aladwa’s list has been the talk among party officials in the past week after the party rolled out a programme that would see elections held next month.

“We have sat down and thought of a team that can revamp the party. Next week we start the campaigns among party members,” said Mr Aladwa.

City ODM County Reps have indicated their support for the line-up, saying Nairobi was a key ODM bedrock and deserved a senior position.

Succession line

Majority leader at the City Assembly Elias Otieno said the seat would also be strategic.

“Members will still have a final say, but so far we are ready to support  Dr Kidero. He is capable of being in the succession line up of the party.” Mr Otieno was supported by Mathare County Rep Oscar Lore and Mukuru’s Elkana Mauti.

Dr Kidero has been said to eye a top party position as a strategy to give alternative leadership to Mr Odinga.

County Reps who wished to remain un-named at this point revealed the party was keen on a succession plan that would see close allies of party leader Raila Odinga replaced by youthful faces.

Mr Aladwa, a Makadara politician, is a key point man for the party’s top officials in the city and his support for Mr Kidero is seen as a big boost to the governor’s quest for a top seat in the party.

He is a former Mayor for Nairobi. He contested for the Makadara Parliamentary seat but was defeated by Mr Benson Mutura.