The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party presidential hopeful, Jimi Wanjigi, on Sunday, November 21, threatened to leave the party.
Wanjigi, believes that he has enough support across the country and not just the Mount Kenya region to put up a competitive battle against the party leader, Raila Odinga, for the party flag-bearer position.
The businessman is demanding that the party follows its constitution in the nomination process to ensure fairness, failure to which he would quit ODM.
"Why would I stay in a party that does not follow its own laid down rules? I will not," he stated.
Wanjigi proposed that the nomination should be done through the delegates system as stipulated in the party's law. The billionaire further threatened to withdraw his contribution to the party.
"I can assure you that the party will have big problems. You know, we have also invested heavily in this party," he reiterated.
However, he stated that he would not be leaving lying low. Quoting his love for the party, the ODM member stated that he would push for the laws of the party to be followed.
"We love this party, and you know we are not going to walk out like that. We are not!" He remarked.
Wanjigi's quest to run for presidency on ODM has been received differently by members of the party. While others have supported his bid, some have deemed the moved as rebellion towards the former Prime Minister.
On November 3, Catherine Irungu filed a petition at the Political Parties Tribunal challenging Wanjigi's candidature. She accused ODM of failing to take action on the businessman for setting up parallel structures.
This was after Wanjigi was accused of setting up ODM branches around the country without consulting the national office.
Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, who also doubles as the deputy party leader, accused Wanjigi of disrespecting party structures and contravening laid down rules and regulations in his quest to occupy the country’s top seat.
