ODM-Kenya

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ODM-Kenya is a political party in Kenya that was formed as a result of the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum, in which a 'Yes' vote was represented by the banana and a 'No' vote was the orange. The ODM has therefore incorporated the orange into its title. During the referedum process the 'Orange' movement was known simply as the "Orange Team", but they were since called Orange Democratic Movement and later registered as an official political party which goes by the current title, "ODM-Kenya".

[edit] Constitutional referendum

The 'No' vote which the ODM campaigned for won out with 58.12% of Kenyan's voting down the proposed constitution, granting victory to the Orange. Following the rejection of the constitution, President Mwai Kibaki proceeded to dismiss his entire cabinet. The response of the ODM was to say that this was a step in the right direction, but called for immediate general elections for the entire Kenyan government, claiming that the Kibaki regime had lost its mandate as a result of the referendum which it vigorously campaigned in favor of. Kibaki's government has resisted this and there are no plans to hold elections as of early 2006. However, the ODM has emerged as a major opposition party along with KANU, and has organized a number of rallies throughout the country asking for elections and a new constitution amongst other demands. Also, the ODM has protested Kibaki's new cabinet. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which opposed the referendum, was dropped out the cabinet.

[edit] 2007 Elections

KANU and LDP have teamed up for the upcoming 2007 Kenya general elections under the ODM-kenya banner. However, there has been inner rivalry within the Kanu party, a fraction supported by former president Daniel Arap Moi says KANU is strong enough to go alone.

But responding to a threat by a newly formed Narc-Kenya party the leaders of KANU and the Liberal Democratic Party rushed to form the ODM-Kenya Party. Though the structures of this party are yet to be clear, ODM which brings together the official opposition KANU and the LDP which was a partner in the ruling NARC coalition is preparing itself for the next general elections.

Proponents of the new party who are expected to fight it out for presidential nominations include Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Joseph Nyagah, Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Najib Balala though other aspirants could still stake a claim for the party's presidentil ticket.

Analysts argue that a loose coalition of parties within the ODM will be a repeat of the formation of NARC in 2002 but it is widely believed that should the ODM-kenya party overcome the tricky presidential nominations it will be a serious challenge to current president Mwai Kibaki's bid for a second term in office.

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