The Orange Democratic Movement will hold a crisis meeting after its party leader, Raila Odinga, announced that he is ready to contest for the African Union chairmanship.
Speaking in Migori on Friday, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who is also ODM’s  Director of Elections, said the meeting is aimed at discussing on the future of the party.
The meeting will also be convened once Raila is back in the country from his trip in Germany.
Junet added that Raila had his moves well calculated before making the announcement, urging those who are worried to stop.
“Kuna mkutano ya chama imeitishwa na itatoa mwelekeo vile tutaenda. ODM ni chama kubwa na Raila aende AU ama aende EU, yeye atabaki kiongozi yetu hapa Kenya. Walio na wasiwasi wakome.
“Yule mzee ni mchoraji…amechora kila kitu. Amechora vile atakuwa AU, ODM na vile Kenya itaendelea…amechora yote, Hakuna mtu anatoshana na yeye hapa Afrika na hakuna mtu amesaidia Waafrika kushinda Raila,” he said.
Junet however admitted that the AU job will in one way weaken Raila’s political power in the country.
ODM’s chairperson John Mbadi, on his side, said that Raila is suitable for the job. He also noted that his move will however no affect ODM’s dominance in the country.
“Raila’s stature and position in Africa is well documented. He has the capacity and competence to take up that leadership but that does not affect the position of ODM,” said the Nominated MP.
“Our leader is Raila Odinga and whatever he says goes…whether he is chair or not.”
If Raila s elected the chairman of AU, Raila will be required not to participate in Kenyan politics and be neutral. This therefore means that he wouldn’t contest in the country’s 2027 general election.
He will however retain his voting rights.
