In the next couple of months, a number of officials in the Orange Democratic Movement party will be sacked to pave way for reforms, it has emerged.
A determined ODM leader Raila Odinga is reportedly keen to oversee fundamental changes in the party, as he prepares perhaps for the fifth and final stab at presidency.
For now, an insider who spoke in confidence says, Mr Odinga has stopped reaching out to his trusted lieutenants for advise, a paradigm shift from previous approaches.
In Kibra by-election nominations for instance, Mr Odinga seemed to change tactic, chosing to directly reach people at grassroots and the candidates themselves.
Previously, he would trust his own Secretariat to handle the matters, something that he's keen to avoid henceforth.
“It's is a new approach for us. We want to involve grassroots leaders as much as possible. These are our foot soldiers on the ground and who understand the real issues,” said Nairobi ODM chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa.
“It was surprising and unusual for the party leader to call leaders to take their views on how best to approach the by-election as a team. He has only been attending big rallies during campaigns,” the insider added.
The source contends that Mr Odinga is keen to replace also the Secretariat, which has previously been accused of mismanagement and maladministration.
His decision is informed by recent taskforce report that revealed the party's main undoing is bungling of nominations, leading to rigging of strong candidates.
“ODM party primaries have been described as the party’s biggest vice. Party elections are thought to lack credibility and do not meet the standard of being free, fair and democratic,” the internal audit report read.
According to the insider, among those facing sack are Director Finance Joshua Kawino, Director Recruitment and Strategy Rosemary Kariuki and Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen.
"Most of the complaints lie squarely on their desk. He's not about to spare them. Heads shall roll. Just like he has shun a number of advisors, they will also be axed."
Recently, Junet Mohamed's aide Seth Odongo claimed that Mr Ong'wen and Kawino had failed to release funds for treatment of NASA Chief Executive Norman Magaya.
And a day after the allegations, Mr Odinga personally walked to Nairobi Hospital where Magaya was admitted, an indication that he may have been infuriated by the development.
While Ong'wen maintained that ODM pays Magaya salary, he will be in trouble because Raila had directed the party to pay for treatment. He has been moved to India.
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