ODM PLANS NEW STRATEGY

New strategy to hand Raila win in round ONE

ODM has launched a new campaign strategy aimed at covering 24 counties through town-house meetings, door-to-door campaigns and social media.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s party Inter-Lobbies Group (OIL) says it won’t engage in public rallies and road shows to boost his presidential.OIL plans to pitch tent in Homa Bay, Kisii, Bungoma, Garissa, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Trans-Nzoia, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Nakuru counties.

Officials of the new umbrella lobby had their first town-hall meeting in Kisii on Sunday, where they met leaders before addressing the public.

Issues to be discussed in the meetings will have the input of PM’s Advisory Council, from behind the scenes. OIL was formed last week after various lobbies were merged, for effective and co-ordinated campaigns.

New more vigour

“The merging of various lobbies to operate under one umbrella is meant to ensure a well co-ordinated campaign that can give the PM a first round win with at least 60 per cent,” he said.

FORA national co-ordinator Jaoko Oburu, son to PM’s step brother and Finance assistant minister Oburu Odinga, will co-chair OIL with Hope Mwakio from Mombasa. Co-secretary generals are George Nyongesa, who doubles as FORA chief executive and Jacky Juma while co-treasurers are Irshad Sumra and Justin Mbaya.

Other presidential aspirants have also explored the campaign lobby groups formula. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has Wiper Ambassadors while Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa has ‘Vijana na Kijana’.

Jaoko said while the PM and his team will be campaigning publicly in rallies across the country, OIL wants to infuse a new more vigour in his vote hunting mission by working behind the scenes.

“Unlike other lobbies, ours is a different ball-game,” he said.

He said the group will soon release its programme for other town-house forums