Orange Democratic Movement–Kenya
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Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya refers to a political party in Kenya, which originated as a single party that was formed as a result of the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum, which separated in 2007. The two parties are the Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya (ODM), and the Orange Democratic Movement–Kenya (known as ODM–Kenya or ODM-K).
The name "orange" originates from the ballot cards in the referendum, in which a 'Yes' vote was represented by the banana and a 'No' vote was the orange. Thus the parties are a union of those who did not support the referendum at the time. They were then known simply as the "Orange Team", but they were since called and later registered as an official political party known as "ODM–Kenya".
The original lynchpins of the ODM were Uhuru Kenyatta's KANU party and LDP, but KANU have since pulled out, and the two groupings are now headed by Raila Odinga (ODM) and Kalonzo Musyoka (ODM–Kenya).
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[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
After the 2002 elections KANU was beaten into opposition, while LDP was a partner in the ruling NARC coalition, until it was kicked out after the 2005 referendum. LDP had supported no vote at the referendum, thus being against president Kibaki.
Following their united stand in the referendum debate and responding to a threat by a newly formed Narc-Kenya party, the leaders of KANU, LDP and some smaller parties decided to team up for the upcoming 2007 Kenya general elections, forming the Orange Democratic Movement, which was named after the symbol of an orange used to represent "No" in the referendum. However, opportunist lawyer Mugambi Imanyara managed to register ODM as a party before the coalition did, forcing them instead to use the ODM-Kenya banner.
As 2007 progressed the coalition proved unstable, with various factions defecting. Uhuru Kenyatta's KANU were the first, pulling out in July 2007, although some individual KANU politicians stayed in ODM. Then, due to internal rivalry between Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga, ODM split into two fractions in mid-August 2007.[1]. Raila's group, which also included Musalia Mudavadi, William Ruto, Joseph Nyagah and Najib Balala bought out the original ODM party from Mugambi Imanyara, while Kalonzo's group, consisting of himself and Dr. Julia Ojiambo remained in the shell of ODM-Kenya.
The two factions held their elections for presidential candidate on consecutive days at the Kasarani sports complex in Nairobi. On 31 August 2007, Kalonzo Musyoka defeated Julia Ojiambo for the ODM–Kenya ticket. On September 1 Raila Odinga was selected the ODM presidential candidate. Raila and Kalonzo faced president Kibaki in the general election. Kalonzo took a distant third place, but in January 2008 he became vice-president of Kenya under Kibaki, whose victory is disputed by Raila Odinga and the ODM.
[edit] References
- ^ "Opposition in Kenya splits in two", BBC News, August 15, 2007
[edit] External links
- ODM–Kenya (Old website not updated after ODM-Kenya split into two)
- 2007 Manifesto
- 2007 Parliamentary Candidates
