Through the Party’s Secretary General Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o,
ODM took issue with Ms Karua who is also the Gichugu MP for sending a statement
to newsrooms to explain why she snubbed the event.
“The attention of the
ODM has been drawn to a statement issued by Hon. Martha Karua, the NARC-Kenya
leader, that she rejected the invitation of our party to attend our National
Delegates Convention on the 7th of December at the Moi International Conference
in Kasarani,” Nyongo said in a statement.
Nyong'o said the practice in most democracies was that
political parties usually invite sister parties, including opponents, to such
conventions.
“The Labour Party invites the Conservative Party to its
conference, and vice versa in Great Britain. The Democrats and the Republicans
similarly undertake such reciprocation in the USA,” he stated.
“The ODM would like us in Kenya to take democratic practice
among political parties to this higher level. Hon. Martha Karua shouldn't make
a mountain out of a mole hill. It will not improve her political stature in
Kenyan politics,” he added.
Ms Karua on Friday openly rejected Mr Odinga’s invitation to attend the
conference which saw the party’s delegates unanimously endorse the PM to run
for the Presidency in the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD),
In a statement she released to the press, Karua said she
does not believe “in pre-election coalitions”
“For the avoidance of doubt, neither me nor the party I lead
(Narc-Kenya) are members of the said coalition. We do not believe in
pre-election coalitions and as such are not seeking to become members. We
therefore with respect decline your invitation,” Ms Karua wrote.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga had on Wednesday sent a letter
to Ms Karua inviting her to attend the event.
-daily post
