Raila meets western Orange MPs to stem rebellion
From left: Cord principals Kalonzo Musyoka (left), Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang'ula attending at the coalition's rally at Mulu Mutisya Grounds in Machakos on July 3, 2016. The coalition keeps its options open amid calls to unveil lineup and tackle new Jubilee. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Raila Odinga on Wednesday met several MPs from western Kenya led by Emuhaya’s Dr Wilbur Ottichilo and his Shinyalu counterpart Silverse Anami at his Capitol Hill office.
- The leaders discussed an extensive tour of the region by the ODM leader, a move seen as an attempt to neutralise the quitting rebels.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has embarked on an elaborate plan to neutralise party rebels from western Kenya even as Funyula MP Paul Otuoma said he had not quit the party.
Mr Odinga on Wednesday met several MPs from western Kenya led by Emuhaya’s Dr Wilbur Ottichilo and his Shinyalu counterpart Silverse Anami at his Capitol Hill office.
The leaders discussed an extensive tour of the region by the ODM leader, a move seen as an attempt to neutralise the quitting rebels.
Mr Odinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango confirmed the meeting, saying all ODM legislators from the region attended the meeting except Mr Ababu Namwamba who was holding a rally in Busia and Dr Otuoma, who is in London in the UK.
“Yes, the party leader has held talks with 11 MPs from Western Kenya. He will tour the area on July 18 extensively,” Mr Onyango said.
Other MPs who met Mr Odinga include Florence Mutua (Busia), Johnson Naika (Mumias West), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos), Dorcas Kedogo (Vihiga) and Nancy Abisai (East African Legislative Assembly).
On Wednesday, the Funyula MP said he was shocked that Mr Odinga has been holding talks with his opponents to openly undermine him yet he had not quit the party.
He spoke even as it emerged that concerns over party primaries is the main course of fear in ODM ahead of next year’s General Election.
Speaking from London where he is on official visit, Dr Otuoma said that meetings between the party leadership and individuals he defeated in the last elections amount to acts of betrayal.
“It should be clear that I have not left ODM. I only stepped down as party vice chairman,” said Dr Otuoma.
Dr Otuoma regretted that the party leadership has not been able to deal with issues they raised through dialogue while flirting with their opponents in a bid to threaten him.
“The party leader has been meeting individuals I defeated in the last elections. It is sad that this is dialogue ODM style,” he stated.
ODM seems to be facing challenges dealing with emerging internal competition, especially after several MPs declared they would be challenging governors for the top county seats in the coming elections.
Party chairman John Mbadi said that fears that the party primaries may not be fair have caused tension in constituencies where MPs have declared interest against sitting governors, with those in areas where ODM is perceived to be moderate, blackmailing the party to justify their planned exits.
