The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

EXCLUSIVE: Top ODM official reveals 2 things that failed Nasa in 2017 elections

The ODM party on Wednesday resolved to go back to the drawing board.

Speaking to undefinedin an exclusive interview on Wednesday, ODM secretary General Edwin Sifuna divulged that the numerous court cases which proceeded the party primaries also shifted a huge number of voters view, to the rival parties.

Citing his case in which he was forced to seek legal redress in an unprecedented fight for the Nairobi Senatorial ODM ticket, Mr Sifuna equally criticised the messaging technique employed by the National Super Alliance in its campaigns in the run-up to the elections.

“Messaging is one of the key issues the taskforce is set to look at. I can’t preempt that it was a bad concept, but I think it was one of the causes of the defeat that some politicians faced. We need to look at our messaging because we can’t keep facing electorates with the same messages ten years later,” Mr Sifuna said.

ADVERTISEMENT

He added: “We are in fact considering changing the messaging aspect so that it equally hits the new voters, who may not have voted in the previous three elections. That’s when the taskforce will tell us what to do.”

The former Nairobi Senatorial candidate agreed that not only messaging was an impediment to the success of the party, but also its manifesto pretext was “not in line with concerns a section of Kenyans have.”

“We have equally engaged the taskforce to evaluate whether our manifesto platforms are still relevant in today’s political environment,” he added.

Jubilee attack

ADVERTISEMENT

President Uhuru Kenyatta led Jubilee party craftily outdid Nasa’s messaging aspect and mobilized voters through digital platforms, commonly social media.

The ruling party rigorously engaged an online audience, especially Facebook, in which it allegedly engaged data mining giant Cambridge Analytica to pass its messaging.

Jubilee was, however, accused of using a scorching attack on the Opposition through the famous slur which portrayed Mr Odinga as a violent person.

Making reference to Ababu Namwamba, the former ODM SG, who once claimed that Mr Odinga “had made him a toothless dog” Mr Sifuna affirmed that he currently has all the powers to diligently carry out his duties in the position.

“I can confirm to you that I have all the tools I need to execute the due duties of the office of the Secretary General. I cannot complain,” the two-weeks-old office occupant said, hinting at possibly revamping the party while remaining cagey on the timelines towards a new-look-ODM.

ADVERTISEMENT

Way forward

In a parliamentary group meeting held in Nairobi on Wednesday, however, the SG revealed that the party had considered revamping its efforts, nearly a week after the truce between President Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga.

Members of parliament of ODM, he said, would be obliged to support the ongoing process of getting leaders for positions which may have been left by deceased or members who ditched the party.

Several lawmakers and governors ditched Raila’s ODM, citing frustrations.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We unanimously decided to revamp out party including filling those position which were left by our members for sometimes obvious reasons. We are looking at a timeline of say six months to have this done,” he said.

He added: “We also resolved to support the talks that have been initiated by Raila and the president. We are totally in it with food faith and goodwill.”

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT