Rifts deepen in Raila Odinga’s circle as President Ruto’s supporters stand firm
The camp of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is in disarray due to splits among his key lieutenants, while party dissidents continue to keep him awake at night.
Mr. Odinga, who is confronting an intensified political assault by President William Ruto in his Nyanza backyard, must also contend with discord among members of his inner circle.
As Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo hosted Karachuonyo professionals for a breakfast meeting in Nairobi to plan for President Ruto’s visit to Homa Bay on Saturday to attend his thanksgiving ceremony, Mr. Odinga’s close allies were competing over performance.
“Let us realize that politics is over and it is time to get to work. Mr. Omollo urged the meeting to adopt President Ruto’s development plans for the country, in particular his gesture toward the Nyanza region.
However, Mr. Odinga’s camp appeared to be disintegrating as members of his inner circle attacked one another.
After months of percolating, the conflict between National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, and ODM National Chairman John Mbadi over opposition functions in the National Assembly erupted.
Mr. Wandayi is also the Director of Political Affairs for the party, while Mr. Mohamed oversees Elections. Their differences appear to add insult to Mr. Odinga’s injury, as several ODM legislators have flocked to his side.
Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mr. Odinga’s rural MP, Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), David Ochieng’ (Ugenya), and Prof. Tom Ojienda (Kisumu Senator) are among the MPs.
Mr. Wandayi criticized Mr. Mbadi’s condescending attitude toward Mr. Odinga and the ODM party on Monday, accusing him of smearing Mr. Odinga and the ODM party leadership.
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“Mbadi is rife with internal conflict. It is challenging to serve dual masters. He must serve either Ruto or Raila, but not both, he insisted.
Explaining that he could no longer stand by and watch Mr. Mbadi disparage him, Mr. Wandayi accused the former MP for Suba South of upsetting Mr. Odinga’s boat from within at a time when party and opposition coalition unity is crucial.
MPs at the White House “At a time when our movement requires unity of purpose, Mbadi is engaged in sowing discord by promoting a never-ending narrative in the media, in collusion with our opponents in Kenya Kwanza, to denigrate the minority leadership in Parliament. The Member of Parliament for Ugunja asserted, “His incompetent and sluggish leadership of ODM has created a vast vacuum that is being exploited by our enemies.”
He continued, “I would expect the Party Chairman to lead ODM troops from the front in the trenches as we resist the Ruto-UDA regime, but instead we hear ceaseless lamentations from his hiding place before he emerges in Parliament to continue the plot to slow down our momentum.”
Mr. Mbadi responded by challenging Mr. Wandayi to wake up and smell the coffee, stating that he was only speaking for the majority of ODM and Azimio members who are fed up with his leadership manner and that of his counterpart, Minority Whip Junet Mohamed.
“Wandayi is the leader of the minority and the person we must inform when things are not proceeding as planned. Mr. Mbadi stated, “When we feel that we are not being led effectively, we must speak out.”
He stated that appropriate communication with members and whipping are required to align them with the position of the party or coalition in the legislature.
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Mr. Mbadi stated, “It is about communicating with your members on what needs to be done and bringing them on board. I am not the first person to criticize their leadership style; if Junet is too busy for the whipping job, someone else can do it.”
The former Suba South representative defended his role in Azimio, clarifying why he has not participated in opposition rallies and demonstrations.
“Enough battles have occurred in Azimio. “These same leaders and their close allies pushed me to the grassroots level because they wanted to shine at the national level during the campaigns, but on this, they have no choice but to deliver on their roles because it is not a matter of earning enormous perks and doing nothing,” the member of parliament charged.
Mr. Mbadi went on to accuse his opponents within ODM of hiring thugs to assault him during recent party meetings, which explains why he has not been seen in the majority of them. However, he says he continues to work in the Azimio economic council’s back room.
“When they sent thugs to attack me, I threatened to resign as chairman of the ODM,” he said.
Mr. Wandayi, however, refuted his claims and questioned his commitment to the anti-government pushbacks.
“While our valiant youth endure police bullets and tear gas, the party chairman watches the events on television while sipping tea with our opponents in the comfort of the House of Representatives,” he stated.
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He stated that while he has endured a State-onslaught in Parliament, where some of their MPs have been enticed to join the government, their voices have been heard during debates and the passage of some controversial legislation.
The rogue regime
“I have had the honor of serving in the 10th, 12th, and 13th Parliaments, each of which had its distinct characteristics. Due to the Handshake, the 12th Parliament was a breeze for the minority Nasa coalition,” he said, referring to Mr. Mbadi’s tenure as Minority leader.
He stated that they were dealing with a “rogue regime” in the current Parliament, which required complete dedication, ideological clarity, and concentration on their part.
“The last thing we expect is internal distractions orchestrated by a disgruntled Party official who complains at every turn. Mr. Wandayi added, “I will continue to serve my coalition by playing my role aggressively in the House and on the streets, as circumstances require.”
Mr. Mbadi, for his part, opined that Mr. Wandayi’s claim that it was a breeze to carry out minority responsibilities was unwarranted, even though their working conditions as minority leaders differed under the previous “Handshake” administration.
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“Wandayi is attempting to deflect and divert attention. “I am not in the Azimio economic council by chance, and we have been able to work on the Finance Bill by simplifying it so that Kenyans can comprehend it,” said the MR. He stated that he was successful as Minority Leader in the previous legislature and that “because of my hands-on approach, we always received good numbers, so Wandayi cannot criticize the work I did.”
“At the time, the majority of Central Kenyan MPs had joined Ruto’s camp, and had it not been for the ODM, we would have lost.”
Rifts deepen in Raila Odinga’s circle as President Ruto’s supporters stand firm
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