Obado pledges allegiance as Raila moves to quell Migori tensions

ODM leader Raila Odinga has promised to pacify the political tensions that erupted in Migori County following an emotive bid to impeach Governor Okoth Obado.

The Orange Democratic Movement has been pushing for the removal of Mr Obado, who is facing corruption and murder charges.

In a tactful move in which he steered clear of the impasse, Mr Odinga said Friday that he was pondering uniting Mr Obado and his political nemesis Ochillo Ayacko ahead of campaigns for the the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which he has been championing.

"Our main focus currently is the BBI that seeks to improve service delivery to Kenyans. We must avoid political sideshows that risk thwarting our agenda especially in Migori," Mr Odinga said in the county during the funeral of the father of Awendo legislator Walter Sirawa at Ombasa village.

"I will have to bring the county leadership together so that we move as one formidable force.”

Obado's pledge

In his address, Governor Obado, who has been enjoying a cordial relationship with DP Ruto, pledged allegiance to Mr Odinga while faulting his opponents for spreading rumours to create a rift in the party.

"Baba, what has been peddled to you against me is utter falsehood and rumours meant to create a rift. My support for the BBI and your presidential bid has been unwavering. We are all seeking to go to Canaan,” he said.

The county boss and Senator Ayacko did not delve into the impeachment issue and instead focused on the problems bedevilling Sony Sugar, which they said has reduced farmers to beggars amid economic troubles due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Open defiance”

ODM chairman John Mbadi, who had been tough talking and agitating for Mr Obado's ouster, softened his stand and shifted focus on Dr Ruto's ‘hustler’ narrative.

"A serious politician seeking the country's top leadership cannot seek votes from the electorates by distributing wheelbarrows. He is engaging the youth in tokenism, which is a recipe for chaos, while peddling the ‘hustler’ narrative,” said the Suba South MP.

Alego Usonga MP Mr Samuel Atandi warned party members against orchestrating divisions in the county by allowing the Deputy President to make inroads.

He did not name them but said they will "face the wrath of the people at an appropriate time".

"There are some people who have openly shown defiance to the party leadership by allowing our opponents to set a base in the county. Those are traitors who will never be confined. We will squeeze them out of their houses and expose them to the public," he said.

Presidency debate

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said, "Raila has forfeited his quest for consecutive terms for the sake of the country's unity. Anyone opposed to his presidential bid is selfish.”

Migori MCAs are divided over the governor's impeachment with a faction allied to Mr Obado accusing the party of applying double standards and failing to present tangible grounds for the bid.

Earlier, emotions flared when Governor Obado's security details were barred from accessing the podium.

A scuffle ensued between the governor's supporters and senator Ayacko's security details but police quelled the tension.

Also present were Council of Governors (CoG) chair Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Siaya Senator James Orengo, and MPs Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), Paul Abuor (Rongo) Tom Odege (Nyatike), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Denitta Ghatti (nominated) TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka), David Gokari (Nakuru Town East) and Elisha Odhiambo (Gem).