Businessman-cum-politician Jimi Wanjigi has differed with ODM leadership over the party’s grassroots elections.
In a letter sent to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Jimmy Wanjigi protested the party’s decision to select its leaders on the basis of consensus.
Wanjigi told ODM officials that their system of conducting grassroots elections is a violation of the party’s constitution, and will only weaken them.
“It is vague, improper, and clearly flies in the face of the mood of members who wish to participate in a transparent democratic process to reinvigorate the party for the 2022 elections,” read part of Wanjigi’s letter to ODM and seen by Kivumbi.co.ke.
Wanjigi noted that the ODM Party has already conducted grassroots elections in some areas in the country without even notifying members which is against the party’s nomination rule.
“When the SG confirms that election of officials has taken place in various branches and counties across the nation, where were these advertised? Why are they being conducted in undercover fashion and to whose gain? This is not an underground movement; it is the Orange Democratic Movement,” he wrote.
On August 26, Edwin Sifuna hosted Jimi Wanjigi at Chungwa house, where he requested the party to reopen applications for the Presidential nominations.
The billionaire has been locking horns with the ODM party leadership since announcing that he will contest for the presidency against Raila Odinga.
Other than clinching the country’s top seat, Jimi Wanjigi also eyes Raila Odinga’s Party leader position in ODM.
He has brushed shoulders with the party’s leadership for opening ODM offices across the country.
However, according to Wanjigi, his actions are for the good of the party, as he aims at increasing its membership.
“We are opening offices where we have found none. Our aim is membership drive. Is that bad? We want to add more members on top of the 2.6 Million that ODM already has. We are popularising the Party in as many areas as we can,” Wanjigi said.
