Leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party are set to go for a two-day retreat in Machakos beginning from August 15 to deliberate on party matters.
The opposition party is set to discuss at what length it has kept the government on toes in a move to ensure service delivery to the Kenyans.
This is of course the work of the opposition. However, an opposition that has lost meaning in the recent past should be very worried. Instead of looking at what strategies they will put in place to paralyse the government’s efforts, the party should be looking at what strategies it will put in place to curb its problems.
One, the grassroots elections that were supposed to take place this week have been postponed to August 29. This is to allow time to deal with party rebels who are not known officially.
The Okoa Kenya referendum should not even be a question of discussion during the retreat by ODM members because it is an initiative that has lost direction. I do not think the initiative will work.
The move by the opposition to comment on anything that the government does has ruined its relevance. The party – under Raila Odinga – should therefore up its game in strengthening its strongholds instead of engaging in fights with the government on a daily basis if the party is in the 2017 state house race.
Cord coalition at large is working on political constraints in putting together its members.
For instance, it should work more on reconciling Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and forget about Budalangi legislator Ababu Namwamba being Kidero’s running mate in the next general election as it is too early.
In this case, should Kidero and Namwamba fall out before the next general election; it will destabilise ODM which intends to send a representative for the state house race in 2017.
Any kind of coalitions and political marriages should be avoided for the time being because of any possible fallout.
However, I congratulate the opposition for work well done as the government watchdog but one plea I make to them is – they stop commenting negatively on anything that the government does that is meant for the good of the general public.
But my opinion stands, Let ODM and Cord at large solve its internal problems before attacking the government left right and centre.