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ODM disowns document listing Kalonzo as NASA flag bearer

By JUSTUS OCHIENG February 24th, 2017 2 min read

ODM has linked Jubilee to a “fake document” doing rounds in the social media indicating that the National Super Alliance (Nasa) had settled on a presidential candidate for August General Elections.

ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen said the aim of the said document is “clearly” to divert attention of Kenyans from the fundamental issues contained in both the Nasa coalition agreement and official statement.

“Dear Jubilee, forgery needs a little intellect! Thanks to their reckless actions, Kenyans can smell Jubilee disinformation and misinformation from a mile away,” Mr Ong’wen said.

The purported document marked “confidential” seen by Nation.co.ke states in part: “…hereby confirm that it is the decision of the Nasa steering committee that HE Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka be the 2017 Nasa presidential candidate, pending ratification of this decision by the Nasa delegates forum on 22nd March, 2017.”

The letter dated February 22, 2017 is purportedly signed by Siaya Senator James Orengo for the “Nasa steering committee” which Mr Ong’wen says does not exist.

“Nasa has never, doesn’t and will in the foreseeable future not have an organ called the Steering Committee on behalf of which Sen. Orengo is supposed to have signed the document,” the executive director said.

DIVERSIONARY TACTICS

He clarified that Mr Orengo is the chairman of the Nasa National Coordinating Committee and not steering committee as purported in the “fake letter.”

Mr Ong’wen said: “Fortunately, Kenyans recognize desperation when they come across it and therefore treat this latest of Jubilee’s diversionary tactics with commensurate contempt.”

Apart from the forgery of Sen. Orengo’s signature, Mr Ong’wen says, the author(s) display(s) total ignorance of Nasa.

“In spite of the fact that Nasa has not yet designed its official logo, the forgery has one,” he said.

He accused Jubilee of having faked former ODM secretary general Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o’s and ODM chairman John Mbadi’s signatures in the past.

FORGED SIGNATURE

“They have done with Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o ‘s and Hon Mbadi’s signatures before as desperation knows no bounds or sense of decorum, we wish to assure Kenyans that this is not the last Jubilee is treating them to these juvenile acts. Ignore them.”

But TNA nominated Senator Joy Gwendo defended Jubilee from accusations and challenged Nasa to put their house in order.

She said the purported document could have been made by one of the Nasa affiliate parties and not Jubilee.

“They are scrambling for the position of flag bearer by themselves and should solve their internal suspicions and leave Jubilee alone,” Ms Gwendo told Nation.co.ke by phone on Friday morning.

Nasa principals Raila Odinga (ODM), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) and Mr Musyoka (Wiper) are seeking the Nasa ticket to face Jubilee in the August 8 elections.

They have vowed to support whoever clinches the ticket to kick out Jubilee from power.