Dissent from within Raila Odinga



raila gordon brown @ kibera


on assuming office, president kibaki did not appoint raila odinga prime minister in new government, contrary pre-election mou. (kenya s constitution had no provision prime minister yet); neither did give ldp (raila s faction) half of cabinet positions per mou. instead sought entrench , increase own nak s side in cabinet, appointing mps opposition parties (kanu , ford people) cabinet.


the perceived betrayal started simmering disquiet in time led open rebellion , split within cabinet. key point of disagreement proposed new constitution country, major campaign issue had united kibaki s nak , odinga s ldp in campaign. constitution included provisions trim presidential powers rein in seen autocratic presidency, feature of both moi , first president jomo kenyatta s regimes had led lot of power abuse , unaccountable leadership.


once in power however, kibaki s government instituted constitutional committee turned around , submitted draft constitution perceived consolidate presidential powers , weaken regional governments, contrary pre-election draft.


raila opposed , went on campaign ldp cabinet colleagues on referendum no side, opposing president , lieutenants in bruising countrywide campaign. when document put referendum on 21 november 2005,the government lost 57% 43% margin. embarrassingly kibaki,out of 8 provinces,only 1 ( central province tribe kikuyu dominant) voted yes document, isolating own tribe rest of kenya , exposing campaign ethnic- based.


a shell-shocked , disappointed president kibaki sacked entire cabinet on 23 november 2005. when reconstituted 2 weeks later, raila , entire ldp group left out.


this led formation of new opposition outfit, orange democratic movement (odm) – orange symbol no vote in constitutional referendum.


in january 2006, raila odinga reported have told police believed life in danger, having received assassination threats.








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