The crisis is widening in Orange Democratic Movement in Gusii region even as party leader Raila Odinga is set for Friday’s maiden visits to the region, a source has revealed.
On Monday, nominated Senator and a longtime trusted lieutenant of Mr Odinga, Janet Ong’era left early from a meeting chaired by party’s national Treasurer Timothy Bosire at Kisii Sports Club.
According to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Ms Ong’era, a former party Chief Executive was ‘unhappy’ over the superficial role she’s likely to play during Mr Odinga’s visits.
“This is all about supremacy and that is why she left early. She believes that being one of the founding party members, she should be accorded the opportunity to be master of ceremony when Odinga comes but the current party protocol cannot allow and that is why she is just unhappy,” said the source.
“I have spoken to her several times and I can assure you she wants Bosire (Timothy) to play a second fiddle when Raila comes. However, I don’t see that happening because Bosire is the most senior party members in terms of ranking currently,” added the source.
The source also said Ong'era wants an assurance that the party will give her direct nominations to contest for Kisii County Women Representative in 2017, a position held by another loyal member Mrs Mary Otara.
“She wants women representative seat and Otara has complicated the formula. This even makes her uncomfortable in the party,” the source said.
Efforts to reach Ong’era for immediate comment were futile since she could not respond to calls. The meeting was meant to put logistics ahead of Raila’s visit.