ODM Comes Clean on BBI, Raila’s 2022 Presidency

Orange Democratic Party, ODM has come out to strongly condemn the media over what they termed as false reports concerning BBI and the party’s interests in the 2022 succession politics.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, ODM, through its Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna refuted the alleged false narratives by the media that the Party and its leader were using the BBI to achieve their 2022 ends.

Related image
ODM party leader Raila Odinga, Chairman John Mbadi and the party’s Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna at a past function. Photo/Courtesy

ODM stated that it was not in any way concerned with the politics of 2022 through the BBI. The party went ahead to indicate that it’s foremost agenda at the moment is to join Kenyans in forging a united front, heal the nation from the past and build a prosperous future.

The party also distanced its boss Raila Odinga from 2022 succession talks, saying ODM had not declared interest to run for any big seat in the next general elections.

Sifuna also accused the Media claiming it was on a mission to divert the attention of Kenyans from the BBI which he said was fast gaining momentum among many Kenyans.

Here is the full statement by ODM;

PRESS RELEASE
MEDIA PROPAGANDA ON BBI, ODM AND 2022 POLITICS

The ODM party has noted that alarmingly, the main newspapers and media houses in the country have been sucked into the anti BBI propaganda and are now at the forefront of confusing Kenyans and sowing mistrust in the BBI process.

For the past few days, the media has been awash with regurgitated talking points and propaganda of the main opponents of the Handshake and the BBI, in particular, the false narrative that the Party and its leader are using the BBI to achieve their 2022 ends.

It is in public knowledge that Hon. Odinga and H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta came together on March 9th 2018 to restore sanity and order in a nation that was threatened by sharp divisions both politically and socially. The social fabric of the nation had been eroded and people were talking ‘at’ each other and not ‘to’ each other.

The ODM Party, by virtue of the Handshake between the two great leaders chose the path to peace and the unity of the nation as opposed to confrontational style of politics.

As a party, we wish to set the record straight thus;

1. We are not presently concerned with the politics of 2022. Our foremost brief now is to join right minded Kenyans in forging a united front, heal the nation from the past and build a prosperous future for generations to come and leave Kenya better.

2. Our party leader has not declared interest to run for any seat in the 2022 general election. If and when he intends to, he will do it in broad daylight just like he has done previously.

3. The Media is apparently on a mission to divert the attention of Kenyans from the BBI which is fast gaining momentum to the chagrin of some people who prefer that the old divisions along ethnic and political lines are retained. The media should be conveyors of positive news and not negative/sponsored narratives.

4. The ODM has no interest in the internal goings-on in the Jubilee party or its ultimate fate. We have our own house to build. Just like other stakeholders, the ODM party is focused on Building Bridges for a stronger nation, a corruption-free country, a country where the will of the people will not be subverted and rule of law respected by all.

5. Finally, ODM is a bold party that does not need to hide behind any facade to advance its causes. When the whistle is sounded we shall come out to boldly state our plan for the nation for purposes of the 2022 Election.

We, therefore, urge the media to desist from enabling the diversionary antics of the detractors of a united Kenya.

Edwin Sifuna
SG ODM
21st January 2020.

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