The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party now says it is working on a bolder alliance that will be unveiled after the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) process is finalised.
The announcement came minutes after another political alignment – the ‘One Kenya Alliance’ – was on Thursday unveiled bringing together KANU National Chairman Gideon Moi, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, in a statement to newsrooms, said the party is working on an alliance that will include younger and fresh blood with clear ideological positions on the issues of the day.
Sifuna, in an almost subtle dig at the ‘One Kenya Alliance’ formed by three of their former NASA co-principals, said ODM is only interested in a partnership with people who can stand on their own and not those who want to profit off others’ sweat.
“The national political conversation has been awash with speculation of changing allegiances and budding alliances. Being the biggest and most experienced player on the scene, ODM has been mentioned quite a bit. Knowing that partnerships are an essential part of our politics, the Orange Democratic Movement is also working on a broader, better and bolder alliance that will shake the country and shape the politics of the land for years to come,” said Sifuna.
“As an avowed centre-left movement, our ideals of social democracy and desire to empower the masses and fight poverty hold supreme above all else. As a party, we are done with the fading breed of tribal politicians whose singular focus over the years has been on what they can extract from our sweat, and from the country. We are focused on an alliance that adds to the national discourse not what it gets, a coalition that adds not takes away from us.”
Sifuna further said that the party’s record of building coalitions speaks for itself, adding that the party is also strengthening itself besides seeking out partnerships.
Sifuna further added: “The post-BBI alliance ODM is working on will be fresh, strong, vibrant and packed with men and women who can stand on their own and give birth to a new nation post-BBI.”
