NEWSLETTER OF THE ORANGE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT PARTY OF KENYA Volume 1 Number 5 Thursday 15 November 2012

ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga Acknowledges Greetings from Pupils of PCEA Chogoria Girls Boarding School

Raila and ODM Continue to be the Most Popular

Orange Correspondent The Infotrack Research and Consulting Opinion poll released on 10 November 2012 indicates that Raila Odinga, at 35%, is the most popular presidential candidate in Kenya. The poll indicates that he is popular because he is development conscious, fights for the less fortunate, is brave and experienced. Raila would win the 2013 presidential elections in the first round if his running mate is selected democratically and prudently. The ODM is popular because it is a national and popular democratic movement which aims to form a government that will build a democratic society and provide a better and dignified life, Maisha Bora, for each and every Kenyan. The ODM has a dream of a society where each and every Kenyan enjoys abundant economic prosperity, social justice, democratic rights and lives in dignity. In short, Maisha Bora! The ODM mission is to transform Kenya from bad governance and poverty to a democratic, prosperous, socially just and equitable society, through progressive economic, political, social policies and programmes The ODM envisions a powerful, vibrant and independent nation- state with a compelling national identity and strong core- values and principles including: Page 1 of 5

Principled, vibrant, dynamic, innovative and visionary leadership, a first among equals, that serves the people of Kenya; A democratic nation based on equity and social justice for all in Kenya; Constitutionalism and rule of law; People centred decision making through devolved government; Equal opportunity irrespective of ethnic background, race, religion, physical abilities, geographic location or gender; Integrity; Accountable and responsive citizens and state; Responsible self-determination; Respect for individual and peoples rights and freedoms; A nation that rewards performance and merit; A united and patriotic nation that celebrates and respects our diversity and positive cultures; A nation in which we determine our own destiny.

The ODM shall also govern in a way that ensures future generations survive through good inter-generational democracy. The governance of Kenya shall therefore be all inclusive underpinned by democratic participation, while recognising and catering for the rights of the minority. The people of Kenya shall be sovereign in that setup. The parliamentary system, as opposed to an imperial presidential system, will be institutionalised. All institutions of governance shall thus be transformed to be in tandem with the new democratic and equitable Kenya. The ODM shall conduct our party affairs in accordance to our partys constitution and agreed regulations so as to nurture and demonstrate to the country the proper way to run a party and the benefits that accrue from a vibrant, democratic and progressive party. We shall create mechanisms to ensure that the ODM government implements programmes in accordance with the party manifesto. Democratic governance is only possible if the state institutions are governed and managed professionally, equitably, inclusively and on meritocracy. Under ODM, all government and state operations shall be institutionalised. This means that the current state institutions shall be systematized and institutionalised to serve Kenyans effectively and efficiently. As a result, state institutions shall be strengthened, improved, reoriented to reflect the face of Kenya. In pursuing integrity and high ethical standards in Kenya, ODM is committed to ending rampant corruption in the country. It is estimated that corruption currently costs our country more than KShs.150 billion each year! The ODM government shall ensure the implementation of procurement regulations for transparency in government procurement. We shall pass laws to mete out severe punishment for corrupt practices. We will also streamline the investigative and prosecution structures to avoid duplication of duties, inactive institutions and wasted resources. Restorative Justice and Affirmative Action If we are to have a Kenya that is truly representative and inclusive, then the perspectives and aspirations of ALL Kenyans, must be adequately enunciated, understood and promoted than has hitherto been the case. Addressing the needs of the pastoralists, women, youth, physically

impaired, minorities including Asians and Europeans, and other historically disadvantaged communities will certainly be an unquestionable priority of ODM. We recognize the disparity that exists in our country in relation to the issue of development and advancement of these groups. We believe that in spite of historical injustices, we have abundant talents among our women, historically marginalised communities, minority and special groups, which can be tapped for the good of the country. In addition to a fund for the youth, the ODM a government shall guarantee immediate jobs for the youth by pursuing labour intensive infrastructural works and invest in skills training programmes for the youth. We shall implement an affirmative action for women through the principle of equal opportunities for both men and women. In order to empower women economically, we shall set s special microcredit schemes to be disbursed to women groups and institutions. In all public services appointments, we shall support the inclusion of minorities and special groups as a way of correcting historical injustice. National Unity ODM is committed to nationalism as a basis of our people's unity. We shall pursue the principle of national unity and national reconciliation as the basis of building a unified modern, patriotic and industrialized Kenyan nation. Colonialism ushered in divisions and polarization of our country based on tribes. The colonial system set one tribe against another in their policy of divide and rule. The three post-colonial governments of Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki perfected that colonial system of undemocratic rule. It is therefore not surprising that the current government is still autocratic and enhances self-interests at the expense of national interests. ODM shall reverse these through a new constitutional order and leadership that is accountable. National Independence ODM will pursue independent policies that will guarantee space for Kenyans to follow Kenyan dreams and aspirations. For example, crime and terrorism shall be dealt with according to internally generated and driven national policies. This shall be underpinned by an ODM foreign policy that is independent and guarantees policy space for Kenya in the international arena.

ODM is committed to political inclusion, equity and integrity. These shall guide all our governance and policy making processes, at all levels and in all public and private sectors. Maisha Bora for each and every Kenyan shall be realised and maintained only if there is a new constitutional dispensation, a vibrant expanding economy that benefits each and every citizen, a safe and secure environment, and social services that serve every Kenyan irrespective of their wealth, tribe, geographic location, age religion, gender or abilities. Additionally, the ODM government shall respect the constitutional devolution of power and resources, be accountable and transparent, and generally govern well. The governance of the nation, at all levels shall be fair and just with all Kenyans, including the president, operating under the law and constitution. All Kenyans shall be served and resourced equitably, with the people playing a central role in the governance of the country.

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In this era of globalization, if a nation is not guided by well-articulated national interests, and mobilizes its internal human

and material resources, the country could be re-colonized by the powerful nations of the world. Sovereignty could be practically

jeopardized though theoretically we would still imagine that we are independent.

NEB Chairman Col. (Rtd). Dr. Henry Kathurima Addressing the Press at Orange House

NEB Assures Members of Free and Fair Nominations

Philip Etale Over 300 aspirants from various constituencies within Siaya County have resolved to embrace peace during and after the party primaries. The aspirants mostly those vying for the position of the County Representative, drawn from Bondo, Rarieda, Ugenya, Gem, Alego Usonga and Ugunja vowed to ensure that the nomination exercise is held in a peaceful atmosphere. During a meeting held at a Siaya Hotel, the aspirants engaged with members of the National Elections Board with most demanding an assurance that the primaries will be free, fair and transparent. They said that as the most popular party in Kenya, ODM was on the spotlight hence the need for the elections board to conduct the exercise competently. Elections Board Member, Mr. James Ogundo told the aspirants to put to the fore the interests of the party and work for its victory in the 4 March 2013 general elections. Mr. Ogundo warned some aspirants who are intimidating others with claims that their membership recruitment cards are fake saying that all the cards issued to aspirants from Orange House are original and acceptable. "Every membership card shall be used during the party primaries, ODM does not issue fake cards" he added. He assured the aspirants that the nomination exercise will be free, fair and transparent but warned of dire consequences to any of the aspirants who violates the laid down electoral code of conduct. "We shall disqualify you. We shall not allow anyone to interfere with other people's peace" said Mr. Ogundo. He said the party election and nomination rules shall be followed to the latter during Page 3 of 5

the primaries and that a register of party members shall be used. Mr. Ogundo said the reconstituted election board was above reproach and that no commissioner will be bribed to favour any particular aspirant.

"Any Commissioner who will receive bribes to favour someone will go home and the aspirant who gives bribes disqualified" he said. He also warned that the board shall not allow any form of interference from

anybody saying that they want to ensure a smooth process Director of Communications - ODM

Democratizing Political Parties as Vehicles of Effective Representation in Kenya

Larry Gumbe Opinion polls inform us that the ODM is the most popular political party in Kenya. The ODM has recently embarked on an exercise to strengthen itself so that it can win the 2013 general elections and to thereafter govern Kenya effectively. In this regards, the ODM has a new elections board and a strengthened secretariat. The ODM will continue to be the political party of choice for those who want a principled, correct and consistent party Political struggles in Kenya date back over 100 years ago where they began as protests against repressive colonial rule. Legally recognized political parties came into being in 1960 when two major parties emerged: The Kenya African National Union (KANU) and the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU). KANU won the election in 1963 and a year later KADU dissolved itself and joined KANU, and Jomo Kenyatta who had become Prime Minister of the newly independent Kenya, became President of Kenya. Ideological differences soon emerged within KANU between those leaning to the Left led by Oginga Odinga and those leaning to the Right, with Tom Mboya as their intellectual mentor. These differences led to the formation of a splinter group in 1966 the Kenya Peoples Union (KPU) led by Oginga. Three years later, in 1969, KPU was proscribed, and its leaders were detained. Kenya became a de facto one party state. The struggles within KANU ceased to be ideological and were driven by succession wars: Mboya was assassinated in July 1969, and for the following 13 years up to 1982, Kenya had become increasingly totalitarian culminating in statutory changes that made Kenya a de jure one party state. The Presidency became more absolute in its exercise of power; all state institutions functioned at the will of the president; KANU existed only as a means by which its Chairman and President of the Republic exercised control over the nation. Political intolerance had reached a crescendo. In the meantime, political pressure continued to mount and in 1992 multiparty politics was legalized. Although multiparty politics was legalized in 1992, Kenya had no culture of competitive politics: the major parties were formed by ex-KANU adherents and therefore brought along a culture of absolutism in the exercise of power; democratic participation remained alien in most parties and as a consequence leaders were expected to bankroll the activities of their parties. Ordinary citizens never learnt to provide financial support to their parties. The wealthy began to control all aspects of political life in Kenya. This privilege was guarded with money and violence as perceived necessary. Genuine political issues affecting the poor were relegated to the back: issues such as land access by the poor were ignored or addressed in ethnic terms; regions without strong political barons did not receive a fair share of public resources; ethnicity began to determine access to opportunity; whole regions and communities felt marginalized; differential regional economic outcomes led to a perception of ethnic superiority. While ethnic differences had merely defined cultural and linguistic diversity, it now acquired strong negative connotations. The new constitution provides an opportunity for greater justice, equity and prosperity for all. We can only achieve all these through vibrant, stable and strong political parties. Political Parties are following challenges: 1. Management Stability faced with the experience in the management of democratic and effective political parties. Political parties as vehicles for leadership in a country are expected to provide ideological, programmatic, and competent leadership to political processes in a country. However as we have noted, political parties in Kenya are weak and do not have the capacity to provide focused, principled, ethical, and firm leadership. This was very evident in the run- up to the 2007 general elections. Hurriedly cobbled together political coalitions with little internal coherence (in terms of ideology, organizational structures and staffing) were not able to effect credible and democratic nomination processes for civic, parliamentary and presidential candidates. The parties did not have adequate capacity to effectively monitor the polling and subsequent tallying processes on the election. Thereafter, the political parties have not had broad consultations with their grassroots and other structures in their efforts at resolving the crisis that ensued as a consequence of the announcement of contentious presidential election results by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). 2. Funding

Experience

and

Most of the large parties were formed after the return to multipartism in 1992 by defectors from KANU, who had very little

The funding of political parties through contributions and levies by its overall membership was an alien concept to Kenya. Many members expected the leadership to bankroll the political parties. This state-of-affairs led to the monopolization of the leadership of large and powerful political parties with persons who were financially well endowed. These persons used their status to dictate what happened in political parties. If they could not get their way, they simply withheld funds or defected to more pliant political parties. It is important that the government Page 4 of 5

strengthens the recently initiated funding of political parties. 3. Electoral System and Nominations and Lists Party

The polling and vote counting exercise was finalized in about 3 hours. The candidates and the delegates left the venue fairly well satisfied with the standards of the exercise. A short while later, the ODM effected and extremely shambolic primary elections for the purposes of nomination of its parliamentary candidate in Kasarani Constituency. Over 100,000 persons in over 100 polling stations were eligible to vote in the exercise. The party, with very limited financial resources, was trying mirror the parliamentary elections exercise which was to be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Kenya using financial resources hundreds of times greater than that of the party. Party Lists Party lists for nominations Senate, National Assembly and County Assemblies should be arrived at transparently by party competent and approved delegates. 4. Internal Democracy and Discipline

who do not believe in its ideology, programme and discipline. A Social Democrat does not belong to the Christian Democratic Party. It is important to distinguish between party members and party supporters. Members are the owners of the party. They are subject to party discipline and support the party financially, with their labour etc. These are persons who, if need be, will die for the party. Party supporters are those who may vote for the party at various times and may also support the party when they deem fit. Internal party democracy is crucial to the stability and growth of a political party. Member of various organs should be allowed to express themselves freely within the organs. They should be free to express contrary opinions with due respect to decorum and discipline. Members must not engage in rebellious or disruptive behaviour in stating contrary opinions. Once and idea is debated and agreed upon by the majority, then the minority must respect that decision.

Nomination Our current electoral system also renders political parties irrelevant except as vehicles for going to parliament. Since individuals finance their own campaigns, and in fact bribe voters, they do not need to be loyal to parties and their ideologies, policies and programmes. So to strengthen political parties as vehicles that nurture a democratic culture and produce principled and ethical leadership, our electoral system must be reformed. We must embrace some form of proportional representation. Initially we may consider Mixed Member Proportional Representation MMPR. Nominations for elections in political parties must be effected transparently, efficiently and effectively. In 2007, the ODM help primary elections for the nomination of its presidential candidate at the Moi Sports Centre in Kasarani Constituency, Nairobi. About 4,000 party delegates from all branches in Kenya participated.

A political party is an institution of inclusion- for those who believe in its ideology, programme and discipline. It is also an institution of exclusion- for those

The Orange is a Newsletter of the Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya Readers are invited to submit their articles for publication at the address given below: Prof. Larry Gumbe Email: theorangenewsletter@gmail.com SMS: 0713 764809 The Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya Orange House Menelik Road, Kilimani Area P.O. Box 2478, 00202 Nairobi. Email: theorangenewsletter@gmail.com

Check out our website at www.odm.co.ke Opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the ODM.

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