County News
Farah decamped to Wiper to avert mounting frustration with ODM leadership
Farah Maalim addressing the Wiper Party national conference in Nairobi. Photo/ COURTESY
NAIROBI—In what could be another surprise move in latest political realignments ahead of the 2017 General Elections, the immediate former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Farah Maalim decamped from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to Wiper Party, an affiliate party within the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).
Earlier this year during a rally in Garissa town, Maalim surprised many after stating that he would be contesting for the Garissa Township seat held by the Majority leader of the National Assembly Aden Duale, an ardent Jubilee defender.
What’s too surprising is that Maalim has been a staunch defender of Raila Odinga and up until his defection, he was the chairman of ODMs disciplinary committee.
He oversaw the suspension of nearly nine party members for defecting to rival party Jubilee.
The former student of Maseno School has been involved in active politics for over quarter-a-century and his bid this elections for the Garissa Township seat is a litmus test of his relevance after he lost the senatorial seat to Yusuf Haji in the 2013 elections.
Maalim hails from the Auliyahan sub-clan of Ogaden clan. According to close confidants the decision of his defection is solely informed by his Auliyahan sub-clan to consolidate its votes and front all its candidates on a single party ticket. Governor Nathif, woman rep Shukran Gure and majority of the MCA’s in the county were all elected on a wiper ticket.
But that is not all. According to inner sources, Farah felt he was being overshadowed by the leadership at the Orange house at a time when he badly needed prominence.
“(Farah) Maalim was lately frustrated with the party leadership because he was not receiving the level of prominence Duale (his opponent) receives in Jubilee Party,” a close confidante of Farah told Kulan Post in confidence.
Duale is third in the Jubilee coalition pecking order.
In the last few months, the Orange party has been grooming Balambala Member of Parliament Abdikadir Omar in a pitch to get votes from the Abudwak sub-clan and divide Duale’s support base.
Though Abdi K won’t be vying against his clansman Duale, his stand in the Abuduwaq sub-clan will significantly improve.
Abdi K is the current Organizing Secretary of ODM and a member of the Budget and Appropriation Committee.
He was seen enjoying high profile political drive with the ODM leadership, many of which the former deputy speaker never attended.
“Farah is really an angry man because he felt betrayed by his former party (ODM) and this (move) is nothing but a frustration of getting prominence in wiper,” our source, who is a member of Farha’s campaign team, continued.
Raila Odinga with Kalonzo Musyoka at the Wiper National Governance Council at Nairobi. Looking on is Farah Maalim, the new deputy party leader. Photo/ COURTESY
On Monday during the Wiper National Governing Council meeting at Kasarani indoor arena, Farah Maalim was named deputy party leader, second to the party founder Kalonzo Musyoka.
In the few days to come, Maalim’s defection would be discussed and whether his approval rating will soar or decrease is to be seen in the coming weeks.
Will this defection cost Farah the seat he so-desires ? Will this shift bring life to wiper campaigns in North Eastern? Will ODM field a candidate to challenge Farah Maalim and oust Duale? Well this are questions up for debate in the coming few days and probably weeks.
