Today's Headlines
- Two Exhibitions Are On At Ramoma, Nairobi
- Country to Review Tourism Law
- Econet Wireless Finally Rolls Out
- Odinga Warns of Civil Unrest
- Mulee Rules Out Harambee Stars U-Turn
- Taking Up a Women's Agenda
- More Than 6,000 Christian Youth Converge for Prayers
- Catholic Church Outraged By MPs' Refusal to Pay Tax
- Pope Benedict Praying for Release of Abducted Nuns
- Thousands Flee Amid Fears of Border Clashes
- Malaria Rates Plummet Among Children
- Winning Against HIV Stigma Behind Bars
- First Congress of Federation of African Journalists a Historic Milestone, Says IFJ
- Archbishop Lele Urges State to Act as Food Crisis Bites
- Regional Workshop Focus Border Management, Irregular Migration
- Silverbird Acquires Kenya's Nu Metro, Starts Operations in Ghana
- Raila is Evil, Says Minister
- Man Charged With Abduction of Two Catholic Sisters
- UN Censures State On Torture
- Agencies Seek $390 Million to Offset Climate And Food Risks
- UN-Backed Scheme Gives 3,000 Prisoners Clean Water and Sanitation
- Samosa Festival is On in Nairobi
- Heartstrings in Another Comedy
- Govts, Investors Engage RVR in Rail Bid
- Mwangi Replaces Mwebesa At NSE
- Riepa Hosts Business Association
- ICTR Petitions UN for Arrest of Kabuga
- UBA to Invest SH360 Billion in Kenya
- Free Movement of People Too, Not Just Goods and Capital
- Judges Running Out of Money?
The Nation (Nairobi)
May 21, 2008
News Article By Lucas Barasa
All is set for Thursday's ODM meeting to iron out thorny issues that have threatened to split the party.
MPs who spoke to the Nation Wednesday said they were ready for the parliamentary group-cum-national executive council meeting to discuss, among other issues, calls for the establishment of a grand opposition.
Also expected to feature prominently is the fate of hundreds of ODM supporters arrested in post-poll violence.
A source said members will also discuss an alleged plot by some members to undermine party leader, Mr Raila Odinga.
"We will want to know who has been funding some of the MPs going round the country in choppers hitting at the Right Honourable, the Prime Minister," an MP who asked not to be named said.
ODM MPs led by Ababu Namwamba, Julius Kones, Zakayo Cheruiyot have been spearheading a campaign for the formation of a grand opposition.
The idea has been opposed by Mr Odinga and other ODM leaders who say that it will weaken the party in parliament.
According to Mr Odinga it is wrong for MPs to desert the party that catapulted them to Parliament and seek refuge in opposition, undermining the coalition government.
ODM MPs interested in forming the grand opposition, he says, should resign and seek a fresh mandate.
Wednesday, Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto who has been vocal in calling for a grand opposition said: "We will go to listen but everything must be placed on the table. There's nothing to hide."
Assistant minister, Orwa Ojodeh said there was nothing wrong with a grand opposition.
"Those clamouring for it should be left to go ahead. We must have checks and balances otherwise those agitating for it might think there's something fishy the government is doing," Mr Ojodeh said.


