ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has dismissed the idea of ODM engaging in coalition talks with multiple parties ahead of 2022 polls.
Speaking after a meeting with ODM grassroot leaders in Kakamega, Sifuna stated that ODM is only holding coalition talks with Jubilee for now.
Sifuna said that the coalition talks with Jubilee will only continue to happen if Jubilee backs ODM's aspirations for 2022.
"As we speak today the ODM Party is only in discussion with Jubilee Party for purposes of forming a coalition for 2022. As of now, we do not have any instructions to engage any other parties for the purposes of 2022."
The ODM Party Secretary-General went on to say, "in the event that the coalition we form with Jubilee is attractive to other parties, we will not refuse their support so that we can clinch victory in 2022. Let them come and support the new endeavor."
Sifuna added that even with the coalition with Jubilee, ODM will be a principal member of the coalition, charging ahead for the 2022 elections.
The 2022 election race is expected to be a close contest with Deputy President William Ruto expected to give Raila Odinga a run for his money.
Kakamega Governor Wycleff Oparanya was also in attendance with the expressed intention of the meeting being to sensitize grassroots leaders to prepare adequately in observance of Covid-19 protocols in the grassroots party elections.
"The recruitment process has started and the national office has come up with guidelines...so we have also discussed how recruitment in going to go on at the grassroots level so that as it is being undertaken by other parties, we also as a party we carry recruitment," noted Oparanya.
"We have finally agreed that also there are vacancies in the party structure from the grassroots up to the national level...some members have died, some have aged and are unable to carry out such activities....some have moved to other parties," noted the Governor for Kakamega.
Oparanya went on to say that other leaders who have joined the ODM party should also be included in the party activities.
