On Monday, November 3, the national dailies widely reported on the interview by Oburu Oginga regarding the future of the ODM party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉
Source: UGC
The papers also reported on the ongoing protests in Tanzania following the controversial elections, where Samia Suluhu was declared the winner.
1. Daily Nation
The publication reported on the catastrophic landslide that swept through Chesongoch in Elgeyo-Marakwet.
On Sunday, November 2, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kichumba Murkomen said the death toll had risen to 26, with 25 others still missing.
The death toll rose after more bodies were found buried in the debris. Twenty-six survivors are hospitalised.
“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with the death toll now standing at 26 following the recovery of more bodies today,” CS Murkomen said.
Rescue operations entered the second day yesterday as responders battled to reach survivors who have been cut off from access roads in the hilly region.
The government has deployed National Youth Service (NYS) personnel, helicopters, and heavy machinery to support the rescue efforts. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku directed 100 NYS officers to join the rescue mission.
2. The Star
The paper reported on plans by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to lead a powerful delegation to Bondo to pay their last respects to former prime minister Raila Odinga.
The team has already informed the Odinga family about their intention to visit Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, where Raila was laid to rest.
Gatanga Member of Parliament Edward Muriu, a close ally of the former DP, said they will be visiting as the United Opposition team.
“We are going as the United Opposition. We are still planning, and by Monday, the picture will be clearer,” Muriu said.
3. Taifa Leo
The Kiswahili publication reported on the tough stand taken by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on President William Ruto’s reelection.
Acting ODM party leader Oburu Oginga stated that ODM will prepare well for the 2027 elections and will not accept being in the opposition under any circumstances.
Oginga’s statement now indicates that in any political coalition, either ODM will have a presidential candidate or provide a running mate.
Currently, ODM is in cooperation with UDA, under the broad-based government, and Oginga’s statement seems to target the position held by Kithure Kindiki.
“If we must go for a lower position, then it must not be below the position of deputy president in any coalition. This is my opinion, and we should not accept any position lower than that,” said Oginga.
He further backed the remarks by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna regarding ODM fielding a presidential candidate in 2027.
The acting party leader also hinted at the possibility of the party entering into a coalition with the United Opposition, after he said they are willing to negotiate with any political formation in 2027.
“Sifuna was right to say the party has not made a decision regarding the 2027 elections. Our agreement with UDA does not discuss 2027, and when that time comes, politics will take its course. We are not bound by the agreement between us and UDA, and we are free to talk to anyone. However, if this cooperation continues, there is nothing preventing us from working together again,” he stated.
4. The Standard
Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has dismissed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 98% election victory.
Chadema called the election a sham exercise carried out under intimidation, mass arrests and media blackout, as the country counts the cost of days of violent unrest.
The party said the result “makes a mockery of the democratic process” and has demanded a fresh poll to be supervised by an independent and credible body.
Chadema spokesman John Kitoka said the vote could not be regarded as free or fair because most serious challengers were either locked up, barred from contesting or placed under tight security surveillance in the days leading to the poll, effectively clearing the field for the incumbent.
The party also alleges a shocking human cost, asserting that its observers in hospitals and health centers throughout several regions have documented over 700 deaths since the election. These deaths allegedly occurred as security forces worked to suppress demonstrations, scatter crowds, and impede opposition meetings.
Independent verification of these numbers is impossible because Tanzania has been subject to a nationwide internet blackout for the past four days, and journalists are barred from entering many of the impacted zones.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
