Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has refuted claims that the landlord of the party's headquarters on Menelik Road in upmarket Kilimani area of Nairobi has evicted them.
In a statement issued sent to newsrooms, ODM affirmed that it will relocate from the one-storey building out of a mutual agreement with the landlord, Caroli Omondi who is Mr Odinga's former aide.
"We wish to confirm that the tenancy of our National Secretariat at the current premises known as ORANGE HOUSE will come to its end on December 31, 2018, and by mutual consent between the Landlord and tenant, we have agreed not to renew it," ODM asserted.
[caption caption="ODM headquarters on Menelik Road in upmarket Kilimani area of Nairobi"]
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Additionally, the party mentioned that they will relocate due to the intention of the landlord to construct a multi-storey office block on the property.
"This is due the intention of the landlord to construct a multi-storey office block on the property in line with the current trends of land use in the neighborhood," the statement read in part.
However, it is not clear where the party will relocate to after the lease ends even as ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen noted: "The National Secretariat will thus relocate to a new address at end of the year and our members, supporters and the general public will be notified accordingly."
The party was also in haste to dismiss media reports that the landlord kicked the party out of the premises.
"We take exception to THE STAR newspaper for insisting on twisting this reality even after, in the spirit of transparency, we gave them the correct information. Contrary to what the newspaper is insinuating, this understanding was reached on May 28, 2018, and is in writing," Ong'wen commented.
Ms Omondi served as principal administrative secretary in the prime minister’s office between 2008 and 2013.
The ODM party has been using the building, commonly known as the Orange House, since 2006 and it has remained the party’s headquarters through three elections.
[caption caption="ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and FORD-K leader Moses Wetangula during a meeting at Orange House"]
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